With high pressure moving out of the area after nearly three weeks of dry weather, copious amounts of pent-up atmospheric moisture broke out into thunderstorms over parts of Houston today. A few areas west of downtown received 2 to 3 inches of rainfall. Admittedly, some of these storms were stronger than expected, as atmospheric moisture levels surged this afternoon.
This has prompted the Houston/Galveston office of the National Weather Service to issue an “areal flood advisory” for Monday evening, through 8:45pm CT for the following areas:
This is not a particularly high level of threat, but storms in the indicated areas could generate some minor flooding this evening. These storms should subside by or before sunset, with the loss of daytime heating.
A similar pattern is possible Tuesday, although at this time we don’t expect the storms to be quite so intense.
Had some rain this morning and my brain/psyche recognized it as just rain. Not rains that will cause devastation. The sound is different. Will not forget that plus 5 inches an hour sound. So glad you helped keep us sane.
Thank you for the update! We were surprised by the amount of rain today. It waxed and wained all afternoon and early evening.
I hope one day my body can learn the difference. My goodness the stress levels returned in a hurry. 🤕
I was really surprised at the frequency and the intensity of the thunderstorm this afternoon. We got just over two inches of rain here in the Heights according to my gauge.
I just drove home through the worst thunderstorm/lightening storm I have EVER experienced. I saw lightening hit the ground twice knocking out streetlights and snarling traffic. It normally takes me 30-40 minutes to get home during the week. I work near the Texas Medical Center and live in Sugar Land. It took me two+ hours. It petrified me. Too soon.
Coming down way too fast in Meyerland for my liking.
Had the same experience as Roger who commented above. Drove from Pasadena to North Shore and the rain was about as intense as any I can remember and I’ve been here since 1967. I pulled up into a parking lot on Federal for a bit because I could barely see past my hood. Lightning hit a tree or pole right next to me as I was exiting the Beltway at Woodforest. Was a pretty hairy ride!
But, we do need such rains to wash away all the crap left left behind by Harvey’s receeding waters.
White Oak just over the bank below the Heights.
Washed away much of Harvey’s detritus – silt mostly.
Tuesday could be even better.
I wonder when this region will welcome the sound of rain again. For now it is a negative emotional trigger to so many. I look forward to the day we get excited about rainy days and thunderstorms.
Today is not that day.
One of my first grade students heard the thunder and said, “It’s gonna rain! No school tomorrow!” HE was excited about the rain.
Can you explain why with a tropical system like Harvey the rain INCREASES at night whereas for the T-storms we had today, rain DECREASES when daytime heat dissipates?
One of my first grade students heard the thunder and said, “It’s gonna rain! No school tomorrow!” HE was excited about the rain.
Maybe time to leave Houston. The streets started to flood a little. In the coming spring there will be more major flooding. To “tax day” and “Memorial Day,” we will add Father’s Day or Easter or Mother’s Day, I am certain. You can’t grow any plants in Houston, maybe water lily or swamp mallow. The electricity was out at my house for two hours this evening. I’ve never seen a city where the electricity goes out in nearly every rain storm. It is growing tiresome.
Agreed, I’m so ready to leave Houston. Austin, Colorado. Anywhere there’s not tropical nonsense.