ABC13 Weather Alert: Tropical Storm Arthur forms off Texas coast
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Much of Southeast Texas has picked up between 2 to 5 inches of rain within the past two days, which led to street and flash flood concerns at the time. Now there's another round of scattered heavy, tropical downpours on the way for Wednesday, which could lead to street and flash flooding once again. This too coming from the first tropical storm of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Arthur. Arthur is expected to bring coastal flooding of a minor surge and tropical like wind gusts to the Texas coast. This is why Wednesday is an ABC13 Weather Alert Day with another day of potentially impactful weather.
Tropical Storm Arthur has formed, and now a Tropical Storm warning is in effect for coastal Brazoria, Galveston and call of Chambers County. Tropical moisture from the storm system will push into Southeast Texas Wednesday with scattered showers and storms producing heavy rainfall at times Wednesday afternoon. This could bring another round of street and flash flooding depending on where the heavier rain bands move through. The widespread Flood Watch for Southeast Texas is now in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday. The greatest impacts from Arthur will be felt along the coast, where the rest of Southeast Texas will see more of a drier, mild day with a partly to mostly cloudy sky and temperatures climbing into the low-mid 80s.
What's the latest on Wednesday's forecast with this potential tropical storm?
Yes, Tropical Storm Arthur has formed in our backyard and is the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Arthur is expected to track along the Texas coast Wednesday where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for coastal Brazoria, coastal Galveston and Chambers County. Tropical storm force wind gusts between 30 to 50 mph, a potential surge of 1 to 4 feet and life-threatening flash flooding are potential impacts for communities within the Watch. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, we could experience gusty winds at times upwards of 30 mph as well as some tropical downpours that could lead to street and area flooding, possibly even flash flooding depending on how saturated the ground is. Overall, any impacts to the Houston area should be minimal because of the region being on the lefthand side of the low.
How much rain could we get over the next few days?
At this time we expect rain totals to average between 4 to 7 inches through Thursday, and while some will get less than this range, others could easily pick up over 10 inches of rain. Remember, it only takes 2" of rain in one hour to overwhelm the storm drainage, causing streets to flood. Drivers will need to be extremely careful on the roadways as flooding downpours are possible at any time these next few days. Lightning is also a big concern with many outdoor events happening around town, so just remember when thunder roars, go indoors!
When will all of this tropical moisture clear out?
That depends on the track and speed of the low pressure expected to develop within the tropical moisture. The tropical air should be gone by Thursday, but it could occur at some point on Wednesday if the low pressure system speeds up more than currently predicted. Once that tropical moisture clears out, rain will still be possible, but it should be less intense than what the atmosphere will bring our way the next few days.
What are you tracking in the tropics?
Besides Potential Storm One in the western gulf, there's not much else in the Atlantic. Get the latest track and how much rainfall we can expect in our tropical update Tropical Update page for our daily tropical weather discussion and forecast.
13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties
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