Peter Mullinax

@wxmvpete.bsky.social

Meteorologist at NOAA's Weather Predicition Center. Proud father & husband. Northern VA raised, DC sports fan. My thoughts & opinions are my own.

Well… not much to be said besides this will be yet another generational flooding event over the TX Hill Country… well over 20+ inches in spots and much more rain is expected through tomorrow, exacerbating catastrophic conditions.

NWS Weather Prediction Center graphic for South-Central Texas Extreme Rainfall. Preliminary observations and rainfall estimates valid Monday (7/13) to Thursday (7/16). Plot on the left is a map of south-central Texas with rainfall totals overlaid in color contours with dark brown and purples indicating greater than 15 to 20 inches of rain. Selected preliminary rain reports include:

Knippa, TX 6 miles NW: 26.59”
Uvalde, TX 10 miles NNE: 21.76”
Kerrville, TX 3 miles NW: 19.48”
Kickapoo Caverns State Park, TX: 16.02”

And more.

The overnight WPC crew upgraded today's Day 1 ERO to a High Risk amid the ongoing catastrophic flooding. Per the Day 1 discussion, "Areas of slow-moving, heavy rainfall are expected to continue beyond 12Z, exacerbating the catastrophic impacts that unfolded across portions of the region overnight."

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Portions of the TX Hill Country witnessed torrential rainfall last night that will continue to unfold through midday. Several counties and have already seen reports of numerous flooded roadways and water rescues. Monitor the latest at weather.gov, and Turn Around, Don't Drown!

Weather Prediction Center Day 1 Excessive Rainfall Outlook valid from 16Z Tuesday, July 14, 2026, through 12Z Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Risk levels shown are green = marginal risk, yellow = slight risk, red = moderate risk, and magenta = high risk for flash flooding. A high risk area is centered over south Texas near the lower Rio Grande Valley, surrounded by a larger moderate risk region and a broad slight risk extending eastward across southern Texas and along the Gulf Coast into Louisiana. Additional slight risk areas are highlighted over portions of Mississippi and Alabama, and along the South Carolina and Georgia coast near Charleston and Savannah. Marginal risk areas extend across much of the Gulf Coast, Southeast, Southwest, northern Rockies, and parts of New England.National Weather Service infographic titled "High Risk Days are a BIG DEAL." The graphic explains that Weather Prediction Center High Risk excessive rainfall outlooks are issued on only about 4% of days but account for a disproportionate share of flood impacts. A pie chart shows that High Risk days account for 36% of all flood-related fatalities, while Moderate Risk days account for an additional 21%. A second pie chart shows that High Risk days account for 80% of all flood-related damages, with Moderate Risk days accounting for another 6%. Statistics cover 2010 through 2022 and include flood, flash flood, heavy rain, and debris flow events while excluding the 2014 Oso, Washington landslide event.

Two High Risks were issued in central TX on dayshift. One for the remainder of today and the other for Wednesday. Overnight flooding is likely. Be sure to have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts!

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I will be on the dayshift Excessive Rainfall Outlook at WPC the next few days. TX is the focus, but no shortage of flash flood potential from the Sothwest to the Southeast today. Even some pockets of Marginals in MT & New England.

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A dynamic setup on Wednesday with low pressure that is among the lowest observed in the 1979-2021 ERA5 database will overlap with a remarkably strong jet stream aloft, robust low-level jet, & powerful IVT to produce a combination of severe & hydro impacts in the Midwest.

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Today's heavy snow discussion marks the end of WPC's winter weather desk being staffed for the 2025-26 cold season. Just in time for the conclusion of the Central Rockies winter storm! What a season it was in the East. The desk will resume being fully staffed in late September.

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We are now hiring early-career meteorologists at most offices across the country! Through an improved, streamlined hiring process, eligible candidates will be entered into pools to be continually considered for vacancies. Interested? Here’s what you need to know: (1/3)

NOAA’s National Weather Service: We Are Hiring! Meteorologist GS-5/7/9 early career positions at Weather Forecast Offices across the nation! Closing September 30. Apply early to increase your chances. See all current openings: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?k=national%20weather%20service&a=CM54&p=1

AM thoughts before 12Z guidance comes in- it is possible we never see guidance come into agreement on a uniform solution. Frankly, it is rare that happens anyway. The meteorology says a rapidly deepening mid-upper low off the coast favors areas along & east of I-95 especially...

Rare late day update to the Key Messages as new guidance continues to trickle in. Confidence is increasing in a highly impactful winter storm Sunday into Monday along the Northeast coast with disruptive snowfall as far inland as the western suburbs of I-95.

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WPC has initiated Key Messages for this impending Nor'easter. While confidence in a storm system have increased, exact details on amounts & resulting impacts remain highly subjected to storm track. Continue to follow WPC's and your local WFO's forecast for the latest.

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Spread in the past 5 EC-AIFS ENS runs has steadily decreased. But where there is lingering spread, it largely comes down to phasing & 500mb trough position & tilt. There is also lingering spread south of Nova Scotia, hinting at ongoing differences in wave separation & confluence.

An exceptional winter storm that has the Carolinas, eastern TN, and northeast GA in its sights will produce a swath of heavy snow, including potential blizzard conditions along the NC coast this weekend.

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The latest Key Messages continue to identify the Carolinas & Southesst VA as facing the worst impacts. Unlike the last winter storm, high winds & blowing snow are a bigger concern, especially along the coasts.

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Regarding the East Coast winter storm threat-- 06Z EC-AIFS ensembles still show high spread in a few areas: 1. The shortwave trough placement/amplitude/tilt as it track off the East Coast, 2. suppression feature south of Nova Scotia, 3. trailing shortwave in Central Plains.

Latest WPC post: "Here is the latest information regarding a potentially significant coastal storm this weekend. Chances have increased for impactful snow and/or wind along the immediate East Coast, but uncertainty remains rather high with respect to details. Be sure to keep checking for updates!"

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