UTSA Preparedness Partners,

Please review the weather update (full email below and attached PPT) provided by the National Weather Service.  In summary, an approaching cold front, combined with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Hurricane Vance, will provide a high probability for widespread rains across the SA metro beginning later this afternoon through Wednesday morning.  Rainfall totals may average between 2 – 4 inches, with isolated totals near 7 inches.  A Flash Flood Watch begins tonight at 6 pm and extends until noon on Wednesday. 

Weather Overview:

· Timeframe:  Tuesday afternoon through mid-Wednesday

· Flash Flood Watch –  Tuesday [6 pm] – Wednesday [12 pm]

· Thunderstorms with dangerous lightning, gusty winds, high rainfall rates (1-2 inches per hour at times)

UTSA Protective Measures:

· Facilities:  Secure outdoor items, such as trashcans, floor mats, banners, A-frame signs, maintenance equipment, etc. due to gusty conditions.

· All Departments:  Secure equipment, banners, or other exterior mounted scientific equipment. 

· Avoid low water crossings – turn around, don’t drown; seek alternate routes.

· Seek shelter if you hear thunder or see lightning.

· Monitor local news and weather stations for up to date information.

Resources:

· Street Closures:  http://www.sanantonio.gov/public-works/emergencystreetclosures.aspx

· CPS Power Outages:  http://outagemap.cpsenergy.com/CPSStaticMapsEXT/CPSStaticMapV2_EXT.html

· National Weather Service – San Antonio:  http://www.weather.gov/sanantonio

· UTSA Campus Alerts Webpage:  www.alerts.utsa.edu

Please forward this information to your department stakeholders.  Should conditions warrant, additional updates may be provided.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thanks!

TEXAS RADAR at 10:45 AM -

RAINFALL FORECAST -

______________________________

Lorenzo D. Sanchez, MPA, CEM

Director of Emergency Management

The University of Texas at San Antonio

University Police Department

Office of Emergency Management

One UTSA Circle

San Antonio, Texas 78249

Phone:  (210) 458-6756

Fax:  (210) 458-7602

Email:  lorenzo.sanchez@utsa.edu

Website:  www.utsa.edu/utsapd

Campus Alerts:  http://alerts.utsa.edu/

From: Paul Yura - NOAA Federal [mailto:paul.yura@noaa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 9:51 AM
To: Paul Yura - NOAA Federal
Subject: 930 AM Weather Update, Flash Flood Watch Expanded, begins at 6 PM tonight.

South Central Texas Partners...(Briefing graphics are attached)

...HEADLINE...

...Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all of South Central Texas from 6 PM tonight through Noon on Wednesday...

...AREA OF CONCERN...

All of South Central Texas, but the highest totals as of right now are forecast along and east of the I-35 corridor....including the Austin and San Antonio metro areas....and areas south of Highway 90.

...IMPACTS...

· Flash Flood Watch in effect for all of South Central Texas for Tue 6 PM until Noon Wednesday.

· Locally heavy rains of 2-4 inches, isolated totals of 7 inches.

· Highest totals along and east of I-35 corridor....south of Highway 90.

· High rain rates, in excess of 1-2 inches of rain per hour.

· Increased flows on creeks and low water crossings with some Flash Flooding possible in both urban and rural areas.

· Some roads may become impassable.

· Thunderstorms with dangerous lightning and gusty winds. 

...TIMING...

·  Heaviest rainfall is expected from 6 PM Tuesday through 8 AM Wednesday....with highest rain intensities from 8 PM Tue thru 4 AM Wednesday. 

...CONFIDENCE...

Moderate-High

...DISCUSSION...

An approaching upper level storm system and cold front combined with increasing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific will lead to widespread rains across South Central Texas starting late Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. A cold front will move into the Hill Country this afternoon and will help to trigger lighter rainfall during the day.  As an upper level disturbance moves closer to Texas tonight, widespread heavy rains are expected to break out across much of South Central Texas during the evening and overnight hours.  The slow moving cold front will be an added trigger for rainfall, while the deep moisture will help produce high rain rates. Rain totals late Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday could reach into the 2-4 inch range, with isolated totals near 7 inches.  Flash Flooding is a concern and thus we have issued a Flash Flood Watch for all of South Central Texas starting at 6 PM tonight until Noon on Wednesday. 

Wednesday morning will see the front and associated heavy rain start to shift east and south into the Coastal Plains of Texas, mainly along and south of a line from Carrizo Springs to San Antonio to Hallettsville.  Lingering rainfall is still possible across the I-35 corridor on Wednesday but the threat for additional heavy rain will be pushing south and east.  

Please keep "weather aware" over the next 24 hours as forecasts and the timing of the front/upper level system are fine tuned.  Most flash flood fatalities occur at night while driving.  If you don't have to be out this evening through the overnight hours, stay at home.  Remember...Turn Around...Don't Drown.

You can see the latest forecasts and watches/warnings/advisories by going to the Austin-San Antonio National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/austin

--

Paul Yura

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio TX

W:830-629-0130 ext 223 

C:830-221-8565