Weekend Downpours Bring a Flash Flood Threat to South Texas
A storm coming together in north-central Mexico this weekend will then move to the north and into southern New Mexico and South Texas, unleashing heavy rain and the threat of flash flooding. The formation of the storm will also work to bring up moisture from the Gulf as it tracks to the east-southeast. Read on for more details about the timing and expected impacts of this weather maker.
Major Rain Event Targeting South Texas Over the Weekend
Knock those outdoor chores off of your to-do list on Friday if you live in South Texas. A soggy weekend is setting up over this part of the Lone Star State as a large mass of heavy rain and thunderstorms moves in from New Mexico.
The moisture flowing up from the Gulf will enhance the rain coming along with the storm, resulting in several hours of heavy rain for a large swath of the region from the Big Bend region of Texas to the coastline. Forecasters are warning that localized flash flooding will be an issue for southwestern Texas. The greatest risk will be near San Antonio and Laredo, and south into Corpus Christi and Brownsville. This zone is bracing for repeated waves of heavy rain.
The latest forecast models are calling for widespread rain of 1 to 4 inches throughout the middle and lower portions of the Rio Grande Valley. Several inches could fall in localized areas.
Local officials are warning residents to be mindful of the threat of flooded roadways. Never attempt to drive through a roadway that is flooded, as you might not be able to see if the road beneath has been washed away by the rain.
The storm is forecast to continue to move to the southeast before weakening when it reaches the southern edge of the Gulf early next week. This path means that the bulk of the moisture will miss the areas that need it the most in the lower Mississippi Valley.
While this drought-stricken region picked up significant rain in October, much of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas is still in dire need of more moisture. According to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of these three states are under the designation of exceptional drought.
Diving Into the Local Forecasts
The rain will begin to pick up in Laredo on Saturday, with the heaviest bands of moisture expected into the overnight hours into Sunday. About an inch of rain is on tap after the sun goes down. The increase in clouds will result in temperatures falling about 10 degrees from Friday's highs, topping out at about the 70-degree mark in Laredo on Saturday.
The line of rain will take longer to reach San Antonio, likely not moving in until later in the day on Saturday. Rain showers in the evening will evolve into a steadier stream of moisture overnight. The Alamo City will continue to see persistent rain on Sunday, with about an inch in the forecast for the daytime hours and another quarter of an inch expected overnight.
Temperatures will also slide in San Antonio on Sunday, struggling to climb out of the low 60s for a high and dropping down into the mid 50s after the sun goes down. Winds will pick up speed, clocking in at 10 to 15 mph from the northeast.
Austin and Houston are both likely to escape the worst of the rain as it moves to the south of these major metro areas. For instance, Houston will be under the chance of just a few errant rain showers. However, cloudy conditions will work to bring the temperatures down from a high in the low 80s on Friday to the mid 60s on Sunday.
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