CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — We have a new way to keep you informed and safe when the weather could impact you or your family. Chief Meteorologist Alan Holt and the rest of the 3NEWS team of meteorologists held meetings to determine which weather in our area has the biggest impact on our lives.
They came up with a specific list of weather-related criteria -- like wind gusts above 45 mph or a wind chill at or below 25 degrees -- that could trigger a new notification that we are calling a Weather Impact Alert.
Don't worry -- we'll still use other alerts like tornado warnings and hurricane watches -- but this will be a new way to add even more impactful days that don't always get enough attention. The goal is to give you a better idea of the days you need to be weather aware.
The weather team will meet regularly to discuss the criteria. If they feel like a change is needed, we will also update this page.
Here is a look at this criteria as of July 1, 2024:
Heat/Summer
- High temperature at or above 100 degrees. (Issued for first day if there are multiple 100-degree days in a row.)
- Heat index at or above 115 degrees
Cold/Winter
- Low temperature at or below 32 degrees
- Wind chill at or below 25 degrees
- Any type of wintry precipitation (snow, sleet, freezing rain)
Precipitation
- If coverage is 40%-60% between 5am-8pm
- If coverage is 60% or greater at any time
Wind
- Sustained winds over 35 mph
- Wind gusts over 45 mph
Severe Weather and Tropics
- Slight risk or greater for severe weather from Storm Prediction Center. (Typically inside three days.)
- Slight risk or greater for flooding rain from Weather Prediction Center
- Any time a named storm has any impact in our viewing area. Impacts include rain, wind, storm surge.
Other Weather-Related Risks
- Waves larger than six feet and wave periods longer than eight seconds. (Between March 1 – Nov. 1.)
- Fire Weather Warning issued for viewing area
- First day that Saharan dust arrives in viewing area
- Ozone Action Day issued by National Weather Service
Due to the nature of forecasting, our Weather Impact Alert days will be limited to taking place within the next five days. If a Weather Impact Alert day is called, and the forecast changes, we will also let you know that.
