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TIMELINE: Waves of rain Friday, watch for flooding and high water spots across Houston

A slow moving cold front leads to downpours ahead of the weekend

Watch for high water and traffic slow downs.

HOUSTON – Watch for flooding late week as scattered to widespread rain moves through late Thursday through Friday.

Thursday’s Flood Risk (1 out of 4):

Thursday’s flood risk is focused is mainly north of I-10.

Flood Risk 1/4 and does not include Houston.

Friday, the flood risk increases and includes all counties in southeast Texas. More waves of rain and storms move in along a slow-moving cold front. Watch for street flooding and ponding, and give yourself extra time for morning and evening commutes.

2/4 flood risk for most of SE Texas

Flooding is the main concern as some areas could pick up to 4 inches of rain. Strong to severe storms are expected to develop on Friday, producing strong winds and hail. Thankfully, the risk is marginal.

1/5 on the severe risk scale

If you look down at the list, a marginal risk generally means short-lived but intense storms, but isolated coverage.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk Categories (National Weather Service Detroit)

Now let’s talk about timing:

There will be isolated to spotty storms and showers Thursday evening; this chance for storms will depend on the atmospheric cap-If the cap can keep energy tamed, storms will be hard to come by, but if we see the cap break, storms will be likely.

Isolated to spotty showers and storms

Late Thursday through pre-dawn hours on Friday, rounds of rain begin to move in!

Scattered Moderate to heavy rain possible

The rain becomes more widespread through the morning commute. Watch for high water spots!

A wet situation for Friday morning commute

Friday afternoon and evening, a break from widespread downpours for communities south of I-10.

Move waves of rain moving in
Rain and embedded storms continue dump rain

Friday night downpours continue, but the final wave moves through before 10 pm. As the rain moves east, southeast Texas will begin to clear before midnight.

Rain and storms continue to move east Friday night, clearing most of southeast Texas before midnight.