This December 23rd tornado and severe thunderstorm outbreak developed as a strong upper level low pressure system moved out of the southwestern U.S. and off to the east and northeast across the state of Texas. Abundant low level moisture was already in place across southeast Texas. Very strong shear, or turning and strengthening of the winds with height, was expected to last throughout the day. A warm front moved northward throughout the day and became a focus for the development of showers and thunderstorms. With the strong shear present, a significant number of thunderstorms quickly became severe. During an eighteen hour stretch, ten tornadoes and several large hail events were reported mainly north and west of the Houston area.  Locations from the Houston area to the beaches felt the brunt of this event in the evening when a squall line rapidly moved eastward toward the coast. Three injuries and over $800,000 in damage occurred with this outbreak.

Hail in BRAZOS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 16:55:00 to 23-DEC-02 16:55:00 (CST)
Location: KURTEN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

0.75 inch hail.

Hail in MADISON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 17:05:00 to 23-DEC-02 17:05:00 (CST)
Location: MADISONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

1.75 inch hail.

Hail in COLORADO, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:20:00 to 23-DEC-02 20:20:00 (CST)
Location: COLUMBUS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 7K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

0.75 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHARTON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:55:00 to 23-DEC-02 20:55:00 (CST)
Location: WHARTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 35K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Roof blown off a business.

Tornado in LIBERTY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 22:18:00 to 23-DEC-02 22:18:00 (CST)
Location: LIBERTY
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 30K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Building damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRAZORIA, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 22:06:00 to 23-DEC-02 22:06:00 (CST)
Location: ANGLETON
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Trees and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:44:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:44:00 (CST)
Location: BELLAIRE
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Power lines down near Highway 6 and Bellaire.

Tornado in GRIMES, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 12:15:00 to 23-DEC-02 12:15:00 (CST)
Location: BEDIAS
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 7K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado 2 miles east of Bedias.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRIMES, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 12:15:00 to 23-DEC-02 12:15:00 (CST)
Location: BEDIAS
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 8K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Wind damage in Bedias.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:30:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:30:00 (CST)
Location: HOUSTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

60 mph wind gust Kirby and Westheimer.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHARTON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:01:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:01:00 (CST)
Location: WHARTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 35K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Roof damage, trees down and light poles down in and around Wharton.

Tornado in MADISON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 12:45:00 to 23-DEC-02 12:45:00 (CST)
Location: MIDWAY
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 55K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado touched down near the Trinity River in eastern Madison County and overturned a mobile home.  Two injuries were reported. Nearby buildings were also damaged by the tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLORADO, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:20:00 to 23-DEC-02 20:20:00 (CST)
Location: COLUMBUS
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Wind damage on FM 806.

Tornado in SAN JACINTO, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 13:55:00 to 23-DEC-02 13:55:00 (CST)
Location: EVERGREEN
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado damaged some trees near Evergreen.

Tornado in SAN JACINTO, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 15:30:00 to 23-DEC-02 15:30:00 (CST)
Location: COLDSPRING
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado damaged a boat in Cape Royale.

Hail in MADISON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:20:00 to 23-DEC-02 20:20:00 (CST)
Location: MADISONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

1.75 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in AUSTIN, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:55:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:05:00 (CST)
Location: WALLIS
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 45K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Trees downed, barns and buildings damaged along Highway 36 between Wallis and Orchard.

Thunderstorm Wind in FORT BEND, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:17:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:17:00 (CST)
Location: SUGARLAND
Magnitude: 52 E
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

60 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:45:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:45:00 (CST)
Location: ALDINE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 55K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Billboard signs down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MATAGORDA, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-02 22:00:00 (CST)
Location: PALACIOS
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

TV tower fell on trailor.

Thunderstorm Wind in FORT BEND, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:25:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:25:00 (CST)
Location: BEASLEY
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Wind damage to home just south of Beasley on FM 316.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:15:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:15:00 (CST)
Location: HOUSTON
Magnitude: 61 E
Property damage: 75K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Power lines down from estimated 70 mph winds at Westheimer and FM 1093.

Hail in POLK, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:00:00 (CST)
Location: LIVINGSTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 3K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

0.75 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHAMBERS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 22:32:00 to 23-DEC-02 22:32:00 (CST)
Location: MONT BELVIEU
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Wind damage.

Hail in BURLESON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 09:43:00 to 23-DEC-02 09:43:00 (CST)
Location: LYONS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

1.00 inch hail in Lyons.

Hail in BURLESON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 19:05:00 to 23-DEC-02 19:05:00 (CST)
Location: CALDWELL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

1.75 inch hail.

Hail in BRAZOS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 19:35:00 to 23-DEC-02 19:35:00 (CST)
Location: BRYAN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

1.75 inch hail.

Tornado in WASHINGTON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 09:10:00 to 23-DEC-02 09:10:00 (CST)
Location: BURTON
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 7K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado near Ledbetter.

Thunderstorm Wind in BURLESON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 19:01:00 to 23-DEC-02 19:01:00 (CST)
Location: CHREISMAN
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Roof of porch blown off by wind.

Tornado in COLORADO, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 09:51:00 to 23-DEC-02 09:51:00 (CST)
Location: WEIMAR
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 18K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Tornado damaged part of a Catholic cemetary.

Tornado in MONTGOMERY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 13:20:00 to 23-DEC-02 13:20:00 (CST)
Location: CONROE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 7K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado spotted near FM 1488 and Highway 242.

Tornado in BRAZOS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 11:20:00 to 23-DEC-02 11:20:00 (CST)
Location: ALLENFARM
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado near Allenfarm at FM 159 and Highway 105.

Hail in MADISON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:10:00 to 23-DEC-02 20:10:00 (CST)
Location: MADISONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

1.75 inch hail.

Tornado in WASHINGTON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 20:10:00 to 23-DEC-02 20:10:00 (CST)
Location: BURTON
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado in Burton.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIBERTY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 22:15:00 to 23-DEC-02 22:15:00 (CST)
Location: LIBERTY
Magnitude: 55 EG
Property damage: 70K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Damage to homes, carports and patio covers, high school press box and dugouts; trees and power lines down.

Hail in HOUSTON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:17:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:17:00 (CST)
Location: KENNARD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 7K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

0.75 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in FORT BEND, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:12:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:12:00 (CST)
Location: FULSHEAR
Magnitude: 52 E
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

60 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:21:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:21:00 (CST)
Location: HOUSTON
Magnitude: 52 E
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

60 mph wind gust.

Hail in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:30:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:30:00 (CST)
Location: HOUSTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

1.00 inch hail Kirby and Westheimer

Hail in HARRIS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-02 21:20:00 to 23-DEC-02 21:20:00 (CST)
Location: HOUSTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

1.00 inch hail.