Tropical Rain Moving Into Texas to Start the Weekend

A series of tropical downpours is putting South Texas under the threat of flash flooding through the weekend. Here is a closer look at what is happening in the Lone Star State.

Soggy Start to the Weekend for Texas

Forecasters had been worried earlier in the week that a homebrew tropical weather maker could come together in the Gulf and take aim at Texas. While that threat has lessened over the last few days, this part of the region will still see a surge of tropical moisture in the short term.

Time is running out for the system to develop formal tropical characteristics as the center of the disturbance moves inland across the northeastern corner of Mexico and up into South Texas. This is the same tropical system that got its start earlier in the week in the western Caribbean.

A cluster of rain showers and thunderstorms is currently circulating in the southwestern corner of the Gulf. This zone of tropical moisture will work to amplify the existing rain in South Texas through at least Saturday. Even in the absence of the development of a tropical depression, the moisture associated with this event will be capable of triggering localized flooding.

Local officials are warning residents in areas prone to flash flooding to remain on high alert. The heaviest bands of rain are expected to set up near the coastline and the higher elevations located farther inland. Motorists will need to be aware of the possibility of reduced visibility and ponding on the roadways.

The primary area of impact will stretch from the lower portions of the Rio Grande Valley up into San Antonio. Some areas of Texas Hill Country will also be in the crosshairs of this heavy rain event.

The good news is that the torrential rain will not linger throughout Texas. The line of moisture is expected to dissipate quickly as the energy moves into a batch of dry air late Saturday and into Sunday. With no immediate tropical threats on the horizon from the Gulf, Texas will enjoy a drier weather pattern in the short term.

Local Forecasts in Detail

Now let's take a look at a few specific forecasts in Texas as you plan your weekend. Brownsville, Texas, is dealing with a rocky day of weather to bring the workweek to a close. The border city will be under the threat of gusty thunderstorms throughout the day on Friday. Winds will be whipping around at speeds of 10 to 20 mph from the south-southeast. It will remain warm with temperatures in the upper 80s despite the cloud cover.

The good news for those areas closest to the border with Mexico is that the inclement conditions will move out quickly in places such as Brownsville. This part of the region will enjoy clearer skies by Saturday.

The chance of rain will linger longer to the north. San Antonio will continue to see rain into early Saturday. The risk of a stray rain shower or thunderstorm will be in the forecast throughout the day Saturday and into the overnight hours. It will be a scorcher of a Saturday in the Alamo City with highs that approach the century mark and lows that bottom out in the upper 70s. Winds will hit speeds of 10 to 15 mph from the south-southeast.

The community of Kerrville will escape the worst of this weather maker. This is the same area that experienced the deadly flooding event on the Fourth of July. Kerrville will continue to have scattered rain showers throughout the day and overnight hours on Friday. Saturday's forecast is calling for cloudy skies and rain picking up overnight and into Sunday. You can expect highs to top out at about the 90-degree mark before falling to about 73 degrees after the sun goes down.

The back half of the weekend is shaping up to be dry and hot for Texas, serving as a reminder that summer is far from over in this part of the country.

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