Another round of scattered storms Wednesday, Gulf disturbance to bring more rain chances

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Another round of scattered storms will be possible Wednesday bringing a chance for gusty winds, small hail, lightning, and, most importantly, a quick half inch of rain.

We’ve got more opportunities for rain in the days ahead, but first we have to get through yet another day of record-setting triple-digit heat. Temperatures overnight will dip into the low 80s under a partly cloudy sky. The atmosphere will once again heat up into record territory with a forecast high of 102. That would tie Houston’s record set in 1980. There’s a 20% chance for isolated downpours in the late afternoon. Any storm that pops up could produce wind gusts over 50 mph, small hail, frequent lightning, and up to 1″ of rain.

Temperatures will again soar to near-record levels, and we’re watching to see if a Gulf disturbance will bring us any rain.

When is our best chance for rain?
Thursday brings our highest chance for needed rainfall. That’s when a weak low in the Gulf will send some deep tropical moisture our way. Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected, and they should form earlier in the day to keep our high temperatures below 100 for the first time since last Thursday.

How much rain could we get?
Where it does rain, a solid inch will be common. Isolated higher amounts are possible, especially in our coastal counties. Since the storms will be scattered Thursday, some of us won’t get any rain at all.

Is there anything worth watching in the tropics?
We are monitoring the low pressure system in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center only gives it a 10% chance for tropical development, but it will likely send several inches of rain into the Gulf coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. The Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to investigate it on Wednesday, if necessary. For the very latest check out our daily tropical update.