Eric Berger

After heavy storms in central Houston Friday night, everyone gets winds today

It’s been two weeks since Houston recorded low temperatures near or below normal levels for March, but we’ll finally return to a more winter-like regime for the next few days.

(National Weather Service)
Houston hasn’t had normal lows since March 6. (National Weather Service)

 

A cold front moved off the coast early this morning, but instead of bringing with it widespread showers, it delivered some intense rains for the central part of Houston, including the Texas Medical Center, during the evening hours on Friday. The rains exceeded 2 inches per hour in some areas and caused flash flooding. But after sunset the atmosphere stabilized over most of the metro area, and storms associated with the front passed well to the south of Houston.

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Heavy storms and flash flooding in central Houston area

Good evening. A particularly intense set of thunderstorms has developed and more or less settled over central Harris County this evening, leading to a number of warnings from the National Weather Service.

Of most concern is a flash flood warning for near downtown and the Texas Medical Center area, where more than 2 inches of rain have fallen in the last hour. The area of the warning is shown below and is in effect until 8:15 pm CT.

A flash flood warning is in effect until 8:15 p.m (National Weather Service)
A flash flood warning is in effect until 8:15 p.m (National Weather Service)

 

This area of storms is also producing hail in some locations. Great care should be taken if you’re driving around the city of Houston, inside Loop 610, this evening.

I’d expect more scattered, potentially severe, thunderstorms to develop this evening before a cold front moves through tonight.

Storms possible tonight and don’t put your coat away—yet

Good morning. It’s another muggy and warm morning across Houston, but change is definitely coming.

TODAY

We’ll see slight rain chances through the early afternoon hours and temperatures rising to near 80 degrees. As a cold front approaches storms will be possible this evening and during the overnight hours. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has placed the region under a “slight” chance for severe weather. This means, in addition to thunderstorms, there’s the potential for strong winds and hail. Although most areas probably won’t see weather all that severe, it’s something to take into account for any plans tonight.

Severe weather outlook for tonight. (NOAA)
Severe weather outlook for tonight. (NOAA)

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Light rain possible today, heavier rain Friday night before a cooldown this weekend

It’s very humid this morning with relative humidity above 90 percent in may areas. It seems too early for low temperatures to only fall into the upper 60s, but such is life I suppose.

TODAY

We’re going to remain in this stagnant, humid pattern today and Friday, but with the added possibility of rain showers. There’s a lot of moisture in the atmosphere right now, but it’s going to be difficult to time when the rain occurs. My best guess is that we will see some scattered light to moderate rain later this afternoon and evening across the Houston area that coincides with daytime heating. Temperatures will climb to about 80 degrees.

FRIDAY

There’s a better chance of rain on Friday, especially later in the day. High resolution forecast models show a break in shower activity during the morning hours, but with all the moisture in the atmosphere that’s hard to say for sure. What does seem likely is that heavier rain showers are unlikely to develop before Friday evening, and then may occur during the overnight hours. I do not anticipate more than 1 inch for most areas locally, but some isolated areas could see 2 to 3 inches.

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