Houston braces for heavy rain Tuesday as Gulf disturbance strengthens and dry, windy Monday raises fire risk
Faces two very different weather threats in 48 hours: a hot, dry and gusty Monday, followed by the chance of heavy rain and severe. Houston — full details here.
Houston faces two very different weather threats in 48 hours: a hot, dry and gusty Monday, followed by the chance of heavy rain and severe weather on Tuesday as Tropical Depression 5 tracks through the Gulf. Meteorologist John Dawson is watching the system, which formed Monday and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Edouard before moving toward the Texas coast.
The same disturbance was known over the weekend as Invest 97L and then Potential Tropical Cyclone 5. By Monday afternoon, it had become Tropical Depression 5 in the Gulf of America, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph, according to data from Air Force Hurricane Hunters and the National Hurricane Center.
Storm warnings along the coast
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for parts of the Texas and Louisiana coasts, including the stretch from Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish line in Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center says the depression is moving west-northwest off the coast of Louisiana at about 5 mph and should keep that general motion for the next day or two.
The forecast track points northwest toward the Texas coast, with the system expected to become a tropical storm by Monday night if it reaches winds of 39 mph or higher. At that point, it would take the name Edouard. For Houston, the bigger concern is not the wind field alone. Rain is the main issue.
Flood watch and a wet Tuesday
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from Monday night through Wednesday morning for parts of southeast Texas, including areas such as Bolivar Peninsula, coastal and inland Galveston and Harris counties, Chambers County, Montgomery County, Polk County, San Jacinto County and southern Liberty County. Forecasts call for heavy rain to arrive Tuesday as the system edges closer.
John Dawson said the storm could bring severe weather and heavy rain to the Houston area on Tuesday. The setup matters because the region can move from dry, windy conditions to flooding rainfall in a short span when Gulf moisture surges inland. That kind of swing often catches commuters and emergency crews off guard. Not this time, with warnings already out.
Dry Monday, fire danger early in the day
Before the rain arrives, Monday starts on the dry side. The National Weather Service has placed Houston and Galveston under a fire weather watch from Monday morning into the evening, citing very dry air, low humidity and gusty winds along the I-45 corridor and the coast. Winds could gust to 35 to 45 mph, according to CenterPoint Energy, which said it has more than 900 frontline workers ready to respond if electric service is affected.
Officials are urging people to follow burn bans, avoid anything that could throw sparks over dry vegetation, and keep cars off grassy areas. The warning is simple. The air is dry enough to burn.
By Tuesday, the story changes again. Heavy rain, stronger storms and a flood watch will take over the forecast, while Gulf residents from Texas to Louisiana keep one eye on the tropical system offshore. “Rain is the main concern, with some wind possible,” forecasters said.
