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Please keep posting videos of hail
During May's severe weather episodes, people routinely captured videos of large hail pelting the surface, and it felt like hail occurred more often than normal.
But did hail occur more often or did people just capture it on video more? According to newsroom meteorologist Anthony Franze, it's both.
Last month, Texas produced 197 reports of hail at least 2 inches wide — the most reports of large hail in a single month in Texas. The previous record was 171 reports in June 2023. May also set a record for hail the size of 3 inches, which is slightly larger than a baseball, with 46 reports.
Hail is a product of severe weather, which Texas has had plenty of, thanks to a mix of heat, moisture and atmospheric disturbances. Hence, the spike in hail reports.
Franze said social media also played a role: "In years past, many reports of large hail reports went unreported or unconfirmed because not as many people had the ability to take weather pictures at their fingertips or had the ability to share those photos instantly."
 | Ryan Nickerson, Weather Reporter |
Justin's Five Day Fit Check
Photo by: Ken Ellis
This week is going to be marked by hot and steamy weather. It is (meteorological) summer in Houston after all. Highs Monday are likely to be the "coolest" of the week, with mid-90s likely Tuesday through Friday. Rain chances will be low this week, though Monday and Wednesday may feature a stray pop-up shower or storm.
Straight-line winds cause a significant amount of damage during thunderstorms. Straight-line winds, also called downbursts, are caused when thunderstorm clouds become heavy enough with water vapor that rain-cooled air descends rapidly, striking the ground with winds sometimes stronger than tornadoes.
Today in Weather History
On June 3, 1893, a tornado ripped through the city of Wharton, killing one person and injuring 9 others.
Something to see
Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer
The severe storms on May 28 left an eye-catching display of mammatus clouds — a rare and distinctive pouch-like cloud formation.
They often appear with severe thunderstorms and are known for their dramatic and otherworldly appearance, newsroom meteorologist Justin Ballard wrote.
 | Ask a Meteorologist |
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University last week shared stunning satellite imagery depicting warm water being drawn into the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea via an ocean loop current.
With the first day of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season underway, now is a good time to answer any questions you may have about the Gulf's warm waters and what it could mean for the season ahead.
How warm is the Gulf of Mexico Currently?
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, average sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are about 84 degrees. Some spots, especially along Florida's Gulf Coast, have already seen water temperatures touch 90 degrees.
How much above normal is this year's Gulf of Mexico sea surface temperature?
Based on data between 1991 and 2020, current sea surface temperatures are more typical of early July.
What might this mean for this year's hurricane season?
Warm water is what makes the proverbial engine purr in tropical storms or hurricanes. The warmer ocean temperatures are, the more potential fuel that exists if a tropical cyclone moves over the warmer waters.
Is it too early to say if a tropical storm or hurricane will make landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast?
Yes, the science to accurately predict tropical storm or hurricane landfalls this far out is not there, and it may never get there. Remember, the atmosphere is constantly in flux searching for equilibrium and there's only so much technology can do to get ahead of the storm. The best advice anyone could take to heart is to keep an eye on the forecast through the hurricane season and ensure you and your family are prepared if a hurricane is approaching.
Weather wonk trivia
Although Houston temperatures hit at least 100 degrees on 45 days last year, the warmest it's been this year is 96 degrees on May 27. When is the earliest date that 100-degree temperatures have been recorded in Houston?
A) May 29
B) June 2
C) June 13
D) July 19
Meet the Team
The 713 Weather Radar newsletter is fueled by reporting from meteorologist Justin Ballard and reporter Ryan Nickerson. Texas Weather Science Editor Roberto Villalpando edits this newsletter.
You can reach out to any of them by emailing them directly at firstname.lastname@houstonchronicle.com or by replying to this email.
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