The City of Kemah Emergency Management continues to monitor the possible weather developments making their way towards our region. As we continue to track these developments, now is a good time to review your significant weather event preparedness plans.
In addition to our Emergency Preparedness document for a quick overview of what you will need to be aware of during events like this, we also highly recommend visiting www.GCOEM.org to download the Galveston County Emergency and Disaster Guide. It is filled with tips and information to help you prepare.
The City of Kemah urges you to please stay abreast of weather developments by following local weather news reports for Galveston County. And observing communications from the US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas for the latest information.
The National Weather Service has produced the following information:
Overview
An Arctic frontal passage Thursday morning will bring a chance for freezing rain for the northwestern portion of the region on Thursday. Cold weather (lows in the 20s, wind chills in teens) Thursday night and Friday night. While cold, this is not comparable to the Winter event last February in either strength or duration.
Hazardous marine conditions starting with sea fog development tonight and tomorrow night, then strong northwesterly winds and high seas Thursday through Friday.
Overview Update
Becoming more likely that the northwestern portion of the region will see some freezing rain Thursday morning into the afternoon. Still limited to no impacts expected.
A forecast for your specific location can be found here. Marine forecasts for a specific spot can be found here. Just left click on the maps.
Winter Weather
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region beginning Wednesday afternoon producing up to an inch of rain for the area with locally higher amounts possible. The associated cold front will move through the region early Thursday morning ushering in subfreezing temperatures. There is a possibility that some lingering moisture will overlap with the freezing temperatures to produce freezing rain for the northwestern portions of the region starting in the mid morning hours into the early afternoon. Limited to no ice accumulation or impacts are expected on Thursday, with the main threat being for elevated surfaces like roads and bridges. Very cold temperatures are expected Thursday night, so there is a possibility that any wet roads or surfaces may freeze.
Temperatures Thursday night will dip into the low to mid 20s for most of the area with near freezing temperatures reaching all the way to the barrier islands. Hard Freeze Warnings are likely for the majority of the area. Winds will be gusting to 25mph Thursday evening through Friday morning leading to wind chill values down into the single digits north of Breham with teens everywhere else. Conditions will be similar Friday night, though wind chill values may be around five degrees warmer as the winds weaken. Remember the four Ps of cold weather safety: People, Plants, Pets, Pipes.
Marine
A few hazards to pay attention to the next few days. Patchy, dense sea fog will be possible tonight and Wednesday night along the coast and in the Bays. A strong cold front will move through Wednesday night into Thursday morning clearing out the fog, however it will also usher in strong northwesterly winds that will continue through Friday. Wind speeds of 25 to 35kts with higher wind gusts will be possible with seas building to 8 to 12ft. The persistent, strong offshore flow will also bring low tide levels to the Bays down to around one foot below MLLW during times of low tide. High pressure builds in over the weekend lowering the winds and seas.
Resources
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the National Weather Service office at the phone numbers listed in the Resources section above.