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ABC13 Weather Watch: Tropical Depression Five forms in the Gulf, impacts expected Tuesday

ByTravis Herzog, David Tillman, Elita Loresca, Kevin Roth, and Elyse Smith KTRK logo

Monday, August 31, 2026 6:44PM

Tropical Depression Five forms in the Gulf, impacts expected Tuesday

Tropical Depression Five has formed in the Gulf with impacts expected in Southeast Texas beginning Tuesday. That's why Tuesday and Wednesday have now an ABC13 Weather Watch with the potential for strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall that could lead to street and isolated flash flooding.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Tropical Depression Five formed in the Gulf Monday morning and could become tropical storm Edouard later today. This weather system could bring torrential downpours that could lead to street and flash flooding as well as tropica storm-force impacts along the coast. That's why Tuesday and Wednesday have now an ABC13 Weather Watch with the potential for strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall that could lead to street and isolated flash flooding.

Monday will be another sunny and hot day with the chance for a passing shower or storm. High temperatures will climb into the upper 90s under a partly cloudy sky. An Ozone Pollution Watch is also in effect once again for Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties. It's later Monday night into early Tuesday morning when moisture levels begin to increase across the coast, with likely a stormy start to the day Tuesday with the chance for some tropical-like impacts throughout the day.

What should we know about Tropical Depression Five?

Tropical Depression Five is forecast to become tropical storm Edouard later Monday afternoon or evening with winds of 40 mph. The system will slowly track northwest in the coming days, retaining it's tropical storm strength and likely make landfall along the Texas coast somewhere between Galveston Island and the Sabine Pass Tuesday afternoon. The main concern with this tropical system will be the risk for street and urban flooding as well as flash flooding Tuesday. Other tropical storm impacts of strong wind gusts and a minor surge are also possible along the coast Tuesday. This system will then track north into Southeast Texas with the core of the storm likely staying east of I-45, which is also where the greatest impacts will be of any flood risks or strong winds that could lead to localized power outages. From there, we'll still have the lingering circulation overhead on Wednesday with the possibility for wrap-around showers and storms that could lead to additional street flooding, this time mainly north of I-10. And while we'll still have some lingering rainfall on Wednesday, we do not at this time except the storm to stall to a point where we'd keep rain in the forecast longer.

What weather alerts are associated with this system?

A Flood Watch is in effect from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday for Harris, Galveston, Montgomery, Chambers, Liberty, San Jacinto and Polk counties. Heavy tropical downpours are expected that could lead to street and urban flooding as well as flash flooding at times. Around 3 to 5 inches of rain could fall widespread across the region with the Watch, though isolated totals between 6 to 9 inches of rain are possible too, especially east of I-45. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Chambers County as well as the water offshore from Galveston Island to the Bolivar Peninsula as well as Galveston Bay. Tropical storm force wind gusts between 40 to 60 mph are possible at times as well as a high-tide surge of 1 to 2 feet.

What does the rest of the week look like?

Beyond Tuesday and the main tropical-impact day, scattered showers and storms will still be possible through Thursday as any remaining tropical moisture could lead to further rainfall. That said, it wont be as hot with highs likely only staying within the low-mid 90s day by day. It'll also be quite humid out, especially in the morning, with morning low temperatures still in the upper 70s all week long.

How about an early outlook for Labor Day Weekend?

At this time any tropical mischief related to this disturbance in the northern gulf should be out of here. We'll be back to a warm and calm weather pattern, which means hot afternoons with highs in the mid-upper 90s and the chance for a few pop-up showers and storms with the sea breeze Saturday through Monday.

What else are you tracking in the tropics?

Aside from Potential Storm Five Gulf, we are also tracking the remnants of Dolly which could regenerate when they get near the Bahamas. For a more in-depth discussion on what's happening in the tropics, visit our Daily Tropical Update page.