B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure
Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Weather
Chance of thunderstorms was forecasted and HOU was listed as the alternate. The only thunderstorms showing on the radar during preflight planning were near Dallas or out in the gulf. We started the LINKK1 arrival with the FMC showing fuel at IAH around 7.3. After passing BBQUE intersection; ATC advised that IAH was now closed for arrivals and we were leveled off at FL180 and vectored East for a planned hold over BBQUE. During the vectors; ATC stated that Hobby arrivals weren't affected. The ATIS for HOU listed calm winds and SCT TCU. The ATIS for HOU had winds listed at 350@5 kts with no mention of TCU or CB's. Based on the current ATIS and continuing arrivals for Hobby; I had no reason to suspect that HOU would close due to weather or windshear before our arrival. The FO and I discussed bingo fuel for the hold and decided on 6000 lbs. 1000 lbs for the arrival and approach with 5000 on landing. We were given the holding instructions and the EFC was [a later time]. We were unable to hold for that long so our plan was to enter the hold and brief the new arrival and approach then advise ATC that we were diverting to Hobby. ATC stated that we could expect the PUCKS2 arrival and the ILS 30L at HOU. I programmed the box and briefed the arrival and approach. I sent dispatch a message stating that we were diverting to HOU. I briefed the flight attendants and advised the passengers that we had to divert due to weather at IAH. We advised ATC that we needed to divert to HOU at this time and we were given a clearance to join and descend via the arrival. We were vectored off the arrival for 'high altitude traffic that was descending' and eventually cleared back to MMOOW intersection. Approach control vectored and cleared us for the ILS 30L approach. We were number three on the approach. Approach announced a windshear alert for a 15 knot gain at 1000 feet and reported the surface winds of 20 something gusting to 40. The wind direction was right down the runway. The radar still had the cells north of the airport but the gust front had hit the field. During the approach; we experienced large airspeed and pitch fluctuations and encountered a moderate windshear. We did a go around. I advised ATC that I needed immediate vectors to Ellington (EFD). ATC stated that EFD was now reporting similar weather as Hobby. I asked for reported windshear at EFD and I was told that EFD doesn't have windshear reporting equipment installed. I knew I didn't have enough fuel to go missed off of EFD and reach another suitable airport. I asked if IAH had opened back up and I was told no. I requested priority handling and I headed for College Station (CLL) since it was the closest suitable airport. Unfortunately; the line of thunderstorms prevented a direct route to CLL. The distance required to go around the west end of the storms and turn back to CLL was about the same distance to Austin. We decided to go straight to Austin since the weather was good with no reported thunderstorms. I declared [low fuel] since my projected fuel on landing was 2500 lbs. I notified Dispatch that I was now diverting to Austin and that I had declared [low fuel]. Once clear of the weather; I proceeded direct to ZEDKU intersection which was the FAF for 35R. We landed safely on 35R with 2400lbs of fuel. After parking; I called dispatch to discuss the diversion.
[Report Narrative Contained No Additional Information.]
A B737 flight crew diverted to an airport not on their flight plan when their destination airport closed and weather at their filed alternate precluded landing.