Satellite Estimates of Tropical Rains that Produced Flooding in Texas Last Week

news image
Special Stories
25 Jun 2018 8:36 AM
[In this 3-D image from last week, the GPM core observatory satellite probed powerful storms that were dropping rain at a rate of 3.5 inches per hour in the southern Texas coast. GPM found some powerful storms were reaching altitudes above 7.75 miles dropping rain at a rate of 3.5 inches  per hour. Credits: NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce] From NASA While Tropical Storm Bud was lashing parts of western Mexico and causing flooding that extended into the American Southwest, a tropical disturbance was spinning over the Gulf of Mexico and straddling southeastern Texas.  This system sat in place for almost a week bringing extremely heavy rainfall and causing a flash flood emergency. More than 15 inches of rain fell in Hidalgo County, Texas between June 18 and 22. [IMERG data shows extreme flooding in parts of Texas from low pressure tropical disturbance. IMERG estimates indicated that the heaviest rainfall occurred in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico where over 21 inches of rain fell. IMERG data also indicated that more than 9 inches fell in large areas from south Texas to western Louisiana. This extreme rainfall resulted in the worst Texas flooding since hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Credits: NASA] With streets being overrun by rain waters, the Governor of Texas declared a state of emergency for six counties in south Texas Thursday afternoon, June 21, two days after rain began. The heaviest rain from the system had ended by Friday morning, June 22.  Local Emergency Management and Department of Transportation continued to report residual flooding occurring across the warned area. Multiple roads remained impassable this weekend due to ongoing flooding from resent heavy rainfall that ranged from 10 to 14 inches over the past few days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=oORB781sHJo Integrated Multi satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data were used in this space based estimate of rainfall accumulation over Texas and northern Mexico during the period from June 18 to 22. These IMERG estimates were derived from various satellite space-borne passive microwave sensors, including the GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement mission) satellite's Microwave Imager (GMI). GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA. IMERG estimates showed extremely heavy precipitation fell over southern Texas and the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. IMERG estimates indicated that the heaviest rainfall occurred in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico where over 21 inches of rain fell. IMERG data also indicated that more than 9 inches fell in large areas from south Texas to western Louisiana. This extreme rainfall resulted in the worst Texas flooding since Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
From Snow to 80s in 3 Days for the Southern Plains

From Snow to 80s in 3 Days for the Southern Plains

Get ready for a roller coaster ride of temper

28 Mar 2024 1:45 PM
Another Spring Storm for the East Coast

Another Spring Storm for the East Coast

A strong low-pressure system in the eastern G

28 Mar 2024 1:30 PM
Spring Snow in California Bolsters Snowpack

Spring Snow in California Bolsters Snowpack

Snow is falling again on the West Coast thank

28 Mar 2024 1:25 PM
EASTER FORECAST: Who's Cracking Open Some Nice Weather

EASTER FORECAST: Who's Cracking Open Some Nice Weather

Some parts of the country have been dye-ing t

28 Mar 2024 1:20 PM
Weekend Forecast: Rain in Southern California

Weekend Forecast: Rain in Southern California

Yet another system is on tap for the West Coa

28 Mar 2024 3:10 AM
Isolated Severe Storms Overnight in the Southeast

Isolated Severe Storms Overnight in the Southeast

A front lingering around the I-95 corridor wi

28 Mar 2024 3:00 AM
Great Lakes to Midwest Storms Overnight

Great Lakes to Midwest Storms Overnight

MIDWEST to GREAT LAKES - After a busy day of

27 Mar 2024 3:00 AM