Houston woke up Wednesday, March 11, to cloudy and very humid weather. Temperatures are around 73°F, and the air feels sticky. There may be patchy fog near Galveston Bay and other low areas, which could slow the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected later today. Winds will be gusty from the south this afternoon, then shift to the northwest tonight as a cold front moves through.
Afternoon Severe Threat
Showers and thunderstorms are likely on and off through the day, but the highest coverage and strongest cells are expected from late morning into the afternoon. Forecasters warn that some storms could turn strong to severe, producing damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado. The latest discussion from the National Weather Service keeps a Slight Risk over parts of Southeast Texas and a Marginal Risk across the rest of the area, with damaging winds as the primary concern.
Brief heavy downpours may drop about a quarter to a half inch of rain in many locations, with some pockets picking up as much as an inch by Wednesday night. If you live in a low-lying neighborhood, be ready for quick water pooling on streets and spotty street flooding.
Timing And Commute
The main window for the steadiest storms runs from late morning into the afternoon, with another round possible into the evening. That timing puts the worst of the weather squarely in play for the afternoon commute.
Drivers should be prepared for localized flooding and sudden wind gusts that can make highway travel tricky. Plan on extra travel time if you are crossing the metro, and slow down around any standing water. If you have outdoor plans or events this afternoon, it is wise to move them earlier in the day or indoors until the storms clear. Keep phone alerts turned on and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.
Winds, Seas And Marine Advisories
South winds of 10 to 15 mph this afternoon will gust near 20 to 25 mph, then shift to the northwest Wednesday night as the front passes, with gusts up to around 30 mph behind it. Small craft advisories and caution flags are posted for portions of the bays and offshore waters through the early morning hours, and mariners are urged to avoid nonessential trips and brace for choppy seas into Thursday.
Looking Ahead
Behind the front, temperatures will tumble, with many spots dropping into the low to mid 50s Wednesday night. Thursday looks cooler and sunnier, with a high near 67°F and noticeably drier air. By Friday and into the weekend, the warmth is back: highs return to the mid 70s Friday and could climb into the upper 70s to mid 80s by Sunday, with only isolated rain chances in the mix.
How To Prepare
Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including phone alerts, radio and apps. Tie down or bring in outdoor furniture and anything that could blow around, and remember the old rule of thumb: turn around, do not drown when you see water over the road. Mariners should delay nonessential outings while advisories remain in effect and track updates from local authorities.
This article was updated after the morning forecast discussion. For more context on the foggy, warm setup that led into today’s storms, see our onshore fog and warm start.
