Houston commuters can expect more headaches on the roads this Friday morning as another round of inclement weather sweeps through the region. After Thursday's downpours wreaked havoc north of Interstate 10, a fresh wave of rainfall is threatening to disrupt traffic and potentially impede flood recovery operations. The National Weather Service in Houston reports a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily before 2 p.m. today, with the possibility of a quarter to half an inch of new rainfall. The forecast also warns of gusty winds as high as 20 mph, so Houstonians might want to hold on to their hats – and rain ponchos.
While tonight offers a brief respite from the chaos, the weekend doesn't promise entirely clear skies, with Saturday night seeing a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., according to the Houston Chronicle. Sunday keeps the dicey pattern going, with another 30 percent chance of rain in the offing – certainly not the kind of news residents trying to dry out soaked properties will be happy to hear.
The stormy conditions aren't confined to Houston, either. The Storm Prediction Center has flagged a "slight risk" of severe thunderstorms for parts of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico on Saturday. These storms may come packing not just rain, but also "very large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps a few tornadoes," as stated on the SPC's website. Those in the southern High Plains should brace for the potential onslaught as the weekend progresses.
But there's a change of pace on the horizon. Early next week, Houston will transition from storm-watch to heat-watch, with temperatures touted to top 90 degrees for the first time this year. This surge in temperature is not taken lightly, considering the sweltering heat indices that could near 100 degrees, the Houston Chronicle cautions. The city, it seems, is trading its rain boots for sunscreen, and with not a moment too soon, as many locals are eager for a break from the relentless rains that have left parts of the region reeling.
