Harvey's landfall just the start of growing weather concerns for Houston

HOUSTON, TX – Even though Hurricane Harvey made landfall, the rainfall threat is just the beginning. Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is expected due to prolonged heavy rain from Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey's rain could last through the next five days over Huston as the storm comes to a crawl.

This was the most intense hurricane to strike the U.S. since 2005 in regards to low barometric pressure.

History is going to see this as the storm that won't go away. 

This afternoon, outer rainbands on the backside and south of Harvey will move into Southeast Texas for most of the day and into tonight and on into tomorrow and into tomorrow night and on into Monday and even maybe on into the middle to end of the week as the weakening cyclone meanders in and around the same area. 

Nearly all the reliable models keep the tropical cyclone parked over Texas adding to forecast confidence for record rainfall.

Before this all comes to an end, rainfall totals of 15 to 30 inches are expected with isolated maximum amounts of 40 inches possible. The greatest threat area is expected to be generally along and south of a line from Brenham to Conroe to High Island. 

But more than rain, tornadoes and gusty winds.

Harvey will continue to weaken but will likely remain a tropical storm over the upcoming days. This means the circulation will continue to pump in heavy Gulf moisture along with gusts to 40-50 mph.

In addition to the heavy rainfall, rotating cells are in Harvey's outer rainbands will move to the northeast and east across our area.  

Conditions will remain favorable for isolated tornado development and locally damaging winds, and a tornado watch is in effect for a large part of Southeast Texas through 1 PM.

Winds are reduced at the surface by ground friction yet aloft speeds remain high circulating around Harvey. This shear in he winds will increase the likelihood to tornadoes over our area,

Tropical storm force winds and wind gusts will continue to be possible in the KPRC 2 area near the coast and the closer you get to the circulation center south of town.