Houston’s tropical showers return after a scorching Saturday

A deep source of tropical moisture will move into Southeast Texas next week and storm risks will increase beginning Sunday. More heavy rain could bring a risk of flooding by early next week as a tropical low pressure system gradually develops in the southwest corner of the Gulf of Mexico.

National Hurricane Center forecasters expect the broad area of ​​low pressure to move far enough out of the Bay of Campeche by Monday or Tuesday that it could also produce rough coastal surf and dangerous winds offshore on the Texas Gulf Coast for much of the coming week.

Here’s what you need to know.

If you’ve been putting off mowing the yard because storms swept through Houston’s skies this week, you might want to tackle that task Saturday. Houston is expected to remain rain-free through the first half of the weekend, thanks to higher air pressure. Temperatures will typically peak in the mid 90s after starting the day in the 70s.

Yes, it will be dry on Saturday, but if you plan to spend time outside, prepare to sweat. Dew points in the mid-70s, an indicator of high humidity levels, will make afternoon temperatures around 95 degrees feel more like 100 to 107 degrees. Be sure to drink plenty of water and, if possible, take frequent breaks in air-conditioned rooms.

Don’t let your splashes in the pool fool you into thinking you don’t need frequent sunscreen breaks. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or sooner if you swim or sweat profusely.

The same humidity that makes you reach for an ice-cold glass of lemonade could cause storms by Sunday.

A sprawling high pressure is anchored east of Houston this weekend. Clockwise flow around this high pressure means southeast winds are drawing in a moist air mass from the Gulf of Mexico. This tropical low pressure area in the southern Gulf strengthens these southeasterly winds, thanks to the nature of the counterclockwise flow around the depressions.

Houston will see this influx of tropical moisture lead to scattered showers beginning Sunday. Rain chances of 40-60% are most likely in the early evening. Once daytime warming loosens its grip, thunderstorms should become a little less numerous.

Still, if you find yourself in a strong storm, you can expect a quick spill of an inch or perhaps more before the storms dissipate. This pattern will repeat Monday through Tuesday, bringing a risk of localized flash flooding.

AM I AT RISK? : The Houston area has a complex relationship with flooding. Put your address on our flood map and tracker to see your risk.

The main surge of moisture-rich air arrives Wednesday through Thursday. Global forecast models indicate that plenty of showers will dot the radar across Southeast Texas, although areas along and south of Interstate 10 are more likely to see stronger, more widespread storms.

A tropical depression and a tropical storm are two types of tropical cyclones, distinguished primarily by their maximum sustained wind speeds.

STORM TRACKING: Tropical storms and hurricanes can quickly develop in the Gulf of Mexico this time of year. You can follow them here.

A tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of up to 38 mph. It is characterized by a low pressure center, organized thunderstorms and a closed surface circulation. Wind speeds are relatively low and the system is less organized than more powerful cyclones, but tropical depressions can still cause big headaches with heavy rain and flooding. South Florida faced relentless flooding this week from a tropical system dubbed Invest 90L, which wasn’t even a tropical depression when it crossed the peninsula.

On the other hand, a tropical storm is more intense than a tropical depression. With maximum sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph, tropical storms feature more defined and organized thunderstorm activity. Additionally, a tropical storm has a well-developed circulation center and can produce significant precipitation and strong winds.