Residents in Houston should brace themselves for a soggy end to the week, as the National Weather Service has forecasted a high probability of showers and thunderstorms rolling in before the weekend. Today, skies will mostly be cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain and temperature highs nearing 83 degrees, the agency says. Caution is advised with gusts reaching upwards of 20 mph. Expected rainfall could vary widely, with thunderstorms potentially dumping heavier amounts.
Threats of severe weather persist into the night, with a 50 percent chance to see more showers and thunderstorms, mostly after 1 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Residents in the heart of Texas should keep an eye out, as new rainfall might not only drizzle but abruptly pour down. Homeowners and late-night commuters should expect mostly cloudy conditions with the thermometer barely dipping, hovering around a low of 73 degrees.
Looking ahead to Friday, rain chances continue to hover at 50 percent, and by nightfall, the forecast doesn't look to be any drier. A flood watch is already in effect with "scattered to widespread showers & storms" anticipated to unleash periods of heavy rainfall, potentially leading to street flooding and swollen streams and rivers, a warning issued by NWS Houston on X. Locals are urged to stay clear of flooded roadways, a standing reminder that water's depth and current can be treacherously deceptive.
Good morning SE Texas,
— NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) May 2, 2024
Flood Watch in Effect today.
Scattered to widespread showers & storms will continue today. Periods of heavy rainfall are expected & could result in street flooding & rises along small streams & rivers.
Do not drive through flooded roadways.#txwx #houwx pic.twitter.com/WZQE5Ou3df
For those wanting to peer deeper into the mechanics of this weather wave, the Storm Prediction Center offers a broader view. It's projecting a "marginal risk of severe thunderstorms parts of the central Plains and into the Texas Panhandle and South Plains late," particularly late Friday into Saturday morning. A cold front will likely push across the Kansas and into Texas overnight, whipping up storms that could intensify to severe levels. "Steep lapse rates aloft will counteract a bit of boundary layer stability," detailed the Center, forecasting that "areas of strong to severe gusts" to potentially disrupt the region, as outlined in their outlook.
The weekend takes a slight turn for the better in Houston, with partly sunny skies forecasted for Saturday and temperatures expected to climb to a high near 84. Nevertheless, there's a caveat as Sunday offers a slim chance for thunderstorms to reemerge. Houstonians eager for a respite from their umbrellas must wait a bit longer as the weather plays its unpredictable game.
