ABC13 Weather Watch: Rainmaker could bring street flooding Thursday and Friday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A rainy weather system is moving into Texas and already popping up heavy thunderstorms in parts of Southeast Texas. The risk of heavy rainfall and street flooding will continue to climb Thursday and Friday, especially southwest of Houston. We've expanded our ABC13 Weather Watch to include all of Thursday in addition to Friday. While the rain will be widespread, the focus for heavy rainfall and street flooding will primarily be confined to the counties and communities southwest of Houston and closer to Matagorda Bay.

The National Weather Service office in Houston/Galveston has issued a Flood Watch for Brazoria, Jackson, Matagorda, and Wharton counties starting at 7 a.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. Friday. The National Weather Service office in Corpus Christi has issued a Flood Watch for Calhoun County that is now in effect and runs until 12 p.m. Friday.

When does the rain arrive?

Showers are already ongoing southwest of Houston, but most Houstonians will stay dry until Thursday morning. Rain showers will spread through Southeast Texas from west to east, and there could be heavy rain early Thursday morning near Matagorda Bay. Rain chances are at 60% for Thursday with the heavier and more widespread rains arriving Thursday night and Friday morning as the main storm system moves overhead. That's when rain chances climb to 80%.

How much rain are we expecting?

We believe 1 to 3" will be common across Southeast Texas with most north of I-10 closer to the 1" side of the range and those south of I-10 likely to pick up higher amounts. We are seeing a strong signal that training thunderstorms could set up closer to Matagorda Bay and repeatedly drop heavy rain that totals over a foot in isolated spots. If this materializes, it would lead to significant street flooding.

Could any storms turn severe?

We cannot rule out a severe thunderstorm at this time, but the overall risk appears low. Gusty winds, small hail, and brief tornadoes are possible in any severe storm.

Will it continue to rain into the weekend?

A few lingering showers are possible Saturday morning, and we currently have your rain chance at 20%. On Sunday, another storm system will approach from the north, and that could sneak in a line of thunderstorms late in the day. Your chance of getting measurable rain for Sunday is currently at 30%.

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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