Update on rain chances tonight and Saturday

The radar is mostly quiet across Houston this evening with heavy heavy rain remaining far to our northwest and southeast. I expect showers across the city to stay scattered to non-existent until around midnight or so.

Between midnight and Saturday morning there should be intermittent moderate- to heavy- showers across much of Houston, but for widespread heavier rain we may have to wait until after sunrise.

RAP model forecast for radar reflectivity at 8 a.m. CT on Saturday. (Weather Bell)
RAP model forecast for radar reflectivity at 8 a.m. CT on Saturday. (Weather Bell)

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Latest on the severe weather threat facing Houston tonight

You may have seen the extreme weather in central Texas this morning — some areas near Austin received 10 inches of rain in two hours — and understandably had the concern that similar conditions are coming to the Houston region later today, tonight and on Saturday.

Flooding at the University of Texas on Friday. (Collin Meyers, KEYE-TV)
Flooding at the University of Texas on Friday. (Collin Meyers, KEYE-TV)

 

The short answer is, I don’t think so, at least not so extreme conditions.

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Everything you need to know about this weekend’s forecast

The forecast for this weekend remains pretty much the same as I’ve been describing it all week. Please remember this isn’t a guarantee. Nailing the precise timing of rain events like this is an inexact science, but we can have decent confidence in this forecast.

FRIDAY

Breezy conditions, with strong southerly winds. Rains approach Houston from the west, perhaps reaching the western part of the metro sometime during the early afternoon hours, and the rest of the area during the mid- or late afternoon hours.

FRIDAY EVENING

Rains move in from west to east, starting with light rain, building to steadier storms by roughly 7 to 10 p.m. Most areas will begin to see some rain. Additionally the strong southerly winds could push tides 1 to 2 feet above normal. A coastal flood advisory is in effect.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Heavier rains move into central Houston just before or after midnight on Friday. It’s not clear whether the biggest burst will come over inland counties or closer to the coast. 1 to 2 inches are possible. Thunderstorms likely.

According to NOAA, conditions for damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes are highest over central Texas. (NOAA)
According to NOAA, conditions for damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes are highest over central Texas. (NOAA)

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Trick-or-treating forecast still appears OK

Good morning, and welcome to my weekday morning update on conditions ahead for the greater Houston area.

TODAY

It’s one of the coolest fall mornings of the year across Houston, with temperatures generally in the mid-50s across the region. This is courtesy of a front that moved through on Wednesday, and we’ll have a pleasant day with highs only around 80 degrees.

THREE DAYS

Later Thursday and into Friday winds out of the south-southeast will increase, bringing a quick return of humidity to the area, and raising atmospheric moisture levels. This, in combination with a storm moving in from the west, will set the stage for a rainy Friday night and Saturday.

Heavy -- but not extreme -- rain is likely on Friday night and Saturday in this map of accumulated rainfall. (Weather Bell)
Heavy — but not extreme — rain is likely on Friday night and Saturday in this map of accumulated rainfall. (Weather Bell)

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