On Saturday we all found out the high pressure ridging that was supposed to shield our area of from widespread showers and thunderstorms this weekend did not, in fact, extend all that far into eastern Texas. Today there is no such mystery. The high pressure and drier air is far to the north of our region.
What all of this means for Houston is that we’re going to remain in an active storm pattern for today and Monday. Although moisture may slackens somewhat on Tuesday, storms will remain possible then before a likely break on Wednesday.
You already know the drill with these storms. Some parts of town can get absolutely drilled whereas other parts of Houston remain dry. Where the strongest storms occur areas can pick up 1 to 3 inches of rain quickly, causing street flooding, but I do not think the rain will be prolonged enough to generate widespread flooding. Because these thunderstorms are capable of producing strong downdrafts, some areas may well see hail today, penny-sized or larger. The most widespread storms are likely to occur during the afternoon and evening hours.
Looking for an upside? Saturday’s high was 82 degrees. The average temperature this month is nearly 3 degrees below normal. We’re now more than three weeks late for our first 90-degree day. Heat or storms, it’s pick your poison for Houston in May.
Yesterday’s storm sustained verocity really seems to have caught everyone off guard.
Yes it did.
Totally ruined my plans for charcoal grilling a nice ribeye – – – had to resort to my George Forman grill to cook the thing.
Heat… Storms… Heat… Storms… I guess moving to San Diego isn’t an option.
Maybe not San Diego (the earth shakes too much there) but if I could make as much in Nashville or Charlotte as I can here (doubtful) I’m probably outta here…..
Rain or drought. I’ll take rain. Was surprised on the way to the game though. Thought we were done for a while.
Hey guys – any chance you can add a date and time to your posts? Thanks much!
Yes, I mean to do that, but sometimes forget.
I wish you would add a “like” button at the bottom! I want to click it every day when I read your accurate, honest forecasts!
We’re enjoying the sun and won’t complain, but did that frontal boundary decide to drop on south like it was supposed to after all? It’s hot and sunny here in waterlogged Westbury and much of the rain chances for the next couple of days have vanished from Wunderground.
Eric, can the Texas Tech forecast model sometimes be an outlier? Can it overrule all the other global and mesoscale models?
Yes, it can sometimes be an outlier, Paul