THUNDERSTORM/ WIND Thunderstorms can produce extreme wind events, including straight-line winds. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure, with higher pressure pushing toward lower pressure. The greater the pressure difference, the stronger the wind. Thunderstorms form when heat and moisture near the Earth’s surface rise to the upper atmosphere, producing clouds, precipitation, and wind. Read More »

DROUGHT Drought is an extended period of low rainfall that can last from one year to the next. It affects all climatic regions and results from a significant reduction in precipitation over time, typically a season or more. Droughts are complex and can be classified into meteorological, hydrologic, agricultural, and socioeconomic types. Droughts are hard Read More »

Extreme Heat Extreme heat involves prolonged high temperatures and high humidity. In Houston, extended heat waves are common, with urban heat islands causing temperatures to be 1-7°F higher than surrounding areas. Houston is the fourth most intense city in the U.S. for this effect. Heat can damage buildings, but it primarily poses serious health risks, Read More »

Hurricane/ Tropical Storm According to NOAA, a hurricane is a powerful tropical storm with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher and a well-defined surface circulation. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds circulate counterclockwise. Hurricanes start as tropical depressions, intensifying into tropical storms when winds reach 39–73 mph. These storms, like Tropical Storm Frances in 1998, Read More »

FLOOD Floods typically result from excessive precipitation and can vary in severity based on factors like topography, weather patterns, soil moisture, and land use. Floods are usually long-term events lasting several days. Inland flooding, specific to Houston’s inland location, happens when excessive rain causes rivers and streams to overflow. This type of flooding often results Read More »