Eric Berger

Extreme rainfall event developing just west of Houston tonight

The moisture has found the rising air, and it is just to the west of Houston.

Area of extreme rainfall on Sunday night. (Intellicast)
Area of extreme rainfall on Sunday night at 11:15pm. (Intellicast)

 

Already, as of 11:15pm Sunday, more than 6 inches of rain have fallen across Austin, Waller and northwestern Harris County this evening, with rainfall rates in some locations exceeding 3 inches per hour. Moreover there is very little motion with these storms as they are obstructed at this time. This is creating “life-threatening” flash flooding conditions in these areas.

These storms may slowly slide eastward, into western portions of Harris County, during the next several hours. It is not clear if they will move all the way into central parts of the metro area, although I expect they will not. Regardless, they are already doing work to bayous and waterways, such as the San Jacinto River, to the immediate west of Houston. The National Weather Service says Cypress Creek Near Katy-Hockley Road will soon approach flood stage. And there will be more to come.

A flood warning is in effect through Thursday for Cypress Creek. (National Weather Service)
A flood warning is in effect through Thursday for Cypress Creek. (National Weather Service)

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Flash flood warning for western Houston area, additional development possible tonight

Fast-developing showers and thunderstorms have quickly brought 2 to 3 inches of rain over parts of western Houston this evening, and the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Katy and other parts of western Harris County. It is in effect until 11:30pm CT.

Area of flash flood warning in effect until 11:30pm CT. (National Weather Service)
Area of flash flood warning in effect until 11:30pm CT. (National Weather Service)

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Quick update: Heavy rains moving into Houston ahead of main system

Hey everyone. Just popping in with a quick update because we’re seeing some heavy rain moving into Houston tonight that was, frankly, somewhat unexpected. These showers are developing ahead of the main storm system, which is still well to the west-northwest of the Houston metro area.

radar8pm
Houston radar as of 8pm CT. (Intellicast)

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Strong storms over central Texas should approach Houston on Monday

Areas along the I-35 corridor are getting hammered by storms today, some of which are producing rainfall rates in excess of 3 inches per hour. The system is not moving much either. It all is likely a preview for what’s to come later this week for parts of Houston. However it should be stressed that predicting how much rain, and where the heaviest storms will occur remains highly uncertain.

TONIGHT

So far today only scattered, light to moderate showers have developed over the Houston metro area, particularly the east side. That’s likely to remain the case throughout the evening. I don’t anticipate any severe weather for the rest of today because most of the action will be off to the west of Houston.

However as that system over central Texas continues to move eastward, the Brazos Valley including College Station should begin to see its effects later, perhaps before midnight or shortly after. Expect 3 to 6 inches of rain (if not more) during the overnight hours for parts of Texas between Houston and Austin.

MONDAY and TUESDAY

Sometime on Monday, perhaps before noon, Houston will see the main area of showers and thunderstorms approach from the northwest. With ample moisture (being recharged by the Gulf of Mexico) and a slow-moving low pressure system parts of the Houston metro area will very likely see the same kinds of intense rainfall rates as are occurring in central Texas today.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Houston through Tuesday morning. (National Weather Service)
A flash flood watch is in effect for Houston through Tuesday morning. (National Weather Service)

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