Houston's morning commuters felt the brunt of Mother Nature on Friday as storms rumbled through the area, disrupting the first workday’s flow with showers and thunderstorms. The Houston Chronicle reported that winds gusting as strong as 25 to 30 mph accompanied the heavy rainfall, with the worst conditions around the rush hours of 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Drivers were warned to anticipate a slower commute and possible additional weather-related delays.
While Friday's storms proved to be a morning menace, the weather woes weren't expected to hang around all day. "The good news is that the rain and wind won’t last all day," the Houston Chronicle eased the minds of Houstonians. Forecasters predicted that drier air would push through Southeast Texas by afternoon, quelling showers and calming winds from the northwest.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the National Weather Service forecasts a respite with mostly sunny skies and highs near 60 degrees before another change on Monday. A storm system, heralded by strong storms, is slated to roll into the Lone Star State, potentially ramping up severe weather conditions, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Forecasters are closely monitoring developments, implying that residents should stay alert for any updates.
But the bad news doesn't end there, come Monday, the region could face more than just rain. The Houston Chronicle warns that, with vertical alignment of upper-level and surface-level systems, the potential for moisture-rich, storm-stirring air is high, which could mean a higher chance for hail, damaging winds, or tornadoes. After the storm, temperatures are set to take a nosedive, dropping to the lower 50s by Tuesday, propelled by wind gusts that could reach 30 or 40 mph.
For those already weary of the erratic weather, the National Weather Service offers a sliver of hope – after Thursday's potential showers, Houstonians can expect a high near 69 degrees and partly sunny skies.
