Thunderstorms clear out overnight, weekend ahead looks fantastic

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’re seeing widespread showers and thunderstorms pushing through Southeast Texas. A Pacific cool front arriving before sunrise will push the storms away and lower the humidity and temperatures a touch.

While the rain may clear out by sunrise, the clouds will linger as an upper-level disturbance approaches. This disturbance will generate scattered light showers by the early afternoon. Temperatures will generally stay in the 60s but may briefly climb into the low 70s, especially where the sun pokes out between the clouds.

How much rain can we expect?

The heaviest thunderstorms are dropping a quick 1-3″ of rain, especially in the band of rain blowing from Galveston toward Louisiana. If you miss the thunderstorms but still get rain showers, you can expect less than 1″ of rain. Communities southwest of Houston toward Matagorda Bay are least likely to get rainfall and might miss out completely.

Is severe weather possible?

Yes, but it’s a very low chance at 5% or less. Gusty winds would be the primary threat, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Small hail is also possible in the strongest thunderstorms, but hail should stay below severe limits.

What is the forecast for New Year’s weekend?

New Year’s Eve looks to bring the best weather we’ve got left in 2022! The stormy weather system that blows in late Thursday will clear out Friday night to bring back sunshine for Saturday. Lows will be in the 50s with highs in the 70s. We expect a dry start to the New Year at the stroke of midnight with temperatures in the upper 50s. While New Year’s Day may start fairly clear, the clouds will be pushing back in as the day progresses and a light shower is possible by Sunday evening. The clouds will be associated with an approaching Pacific storm system that should bring back widespread showers and thunderstorms for Monday, January 2nd.

Could there be any severe weather or flash flooding in Monday’s storms?

We don’t see a strong signal for any flash flooding as the storms move through fairly quickly, but there is small chance some of the thunderstorms could turn severe, especially northeast of Houston toward Lake Livingston.