After Cindy, Houston to see a rainy pattern through the weekend

As Tropical Storm Cindy turned to the north on Wednesday evening, the system’s rain bands went with it. The storm clearly demonstrated how miles matter when it comes to tropical weather, bringing about 6 inches of rainfall to an area between Beaumont and Lake Charles along the Gulf coast, and far less just 100 miles to the west in Galveston. For Houston, as we suggested here on Wednesday, Cindy turned out to be a non-event, with 0.5 to 2.0 inches of rain across the eastern half of the region, and very little rain to the west.

With this rain accumulation map it’s not hard to see where Cindy made landfall. (NOAA)

Cindy also showed why it’s best to be on the west, or left, side of a tropical system—where there’s generally less rain, wind, and the northerly flow on the back side of a tropical system can sometimes bring drier air as we saw on Wednesday with the lower humidity. My concern is that when a more serious tropical system threatens, residents will remember Cindy and think, “Oh, it’s no big deal.” That’s why Matt and I started this site, to not hype storms like Cindy, so when the real deal comes you’ll take us at our word.

Today

After making landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border before sunrise, Cindy has continued moving north. Additional showers and thunderstorms from the back side of the tropical system may rotate through Houston today, but I don’t think they’ll bring more than 1 to 2 additional inches of rain even for the hardest hit areas. Highs should again be limited to about 90 degrees.

Friday

Muggy weather returns on Friday, and with partly sunny skies we can expect temperatures to likely warm into the mid-90s. It’s going to feel hot after the cooler mid-week weather Houston experienced due to Cindy.

Saturday and Sunday

This weekend should be fairly wet, especially for the southern half of the Houston area. The combination of an approaching front—not really cold front, sorry—and the region’s moist and warm environment should allow for the development of widespread showers and thunderstorms. Some areas could see an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain, but right now I’m not anticipating any flooding problems. Mainly, the rains may be a hassle for those with outdoor plans. Highs will reach the lower 90s.

Next week

Rain chances won’t be quite as robust next week, but I’d still expect at least scattered showers and thunderstorms, with partly sunny skies, to start next week. This weather isn’t all bad for late June, a month which some times can be a scorcher, as it should help to keep highs around 90 degrees.

Posted at 7:20am CT on Thursday by Eric

12 thoughts on “After Cindy, Houston to see a rainy pattern through the weekend”

  1. Guys, really appreciate your excellent work. Look forward to reading it each morning. Nice work re Cindy!. Counting on more. I’m a fan!

  2. Just as I expected, you guys were right on…when you’re not sure you explain why…good stuff…very comforting…thanks!

  3. Guys, I’m not prone to waste anyone’s time, but wanted to say thank you for the great work and public service that you provide. I trust your weather reporting, forecasting and commentary more than any other weather reporting agency. I truly appreciate your “Zero BS” style and it helps me make more educated business decisions as inclement weather approaches.
    Keep up the good work!

        • There’s one thing you’re overlooking Eric:

          There will be a surge of deep tropical moisture associated with the remnants of Bret arriving into the Gulf on Sunday. This may further assist in thunderstorm development. This weekend’s coming cold front could actually be more dangerous than TS Cindy.

          That is my personal concern. Do you agree with me?

  4. Eric, this is why I ONLY pay attention to YOUR forecasts….You tell the truth and say “I am not sure BUT…. All the other TV weather forecasters Hype up, which when it is NOT a real threat, then people do like what as you say….”Oh another storm, so what!
    I’ve lived in Houston since 1945 and am now, well about 80 Yrs old, so I have been through ALL of the hurricanes and tropical storms….. Thanks, Eric, Your are MY weatherman.

  5. Thanks- for all of us that follow your site – we are weather geeks. Very good and accurate info as possible . Love the real forecast as opposed to the local TV news and hype headlines. Saw one that said “fans Brave storm to see Iron Maiden” ha! with just a sprinkle around. Morning news had to point out a small sprinkle of showers in SE Houston- Comical!- on the other hand every situation is taken seriously on your site.

Comments are closed.