Houston, TX – A wet weather pattern is settling in across the region today, with more widespread showers and thunderstorms expected to develop late this morning and continue through the evening hours. While most areas are likely to receive less than 0.10 inches of rainfall, isolated thunderstorms could bring pockets of heavier downpours, producing up to 1 inch of rain in some locations.
The increased rain chances are the result of a high-pressure system moving eastward away from Texas. With the high pressure no longer suppressing atmospheric moisture, conditions are becoming more favorable for rain and thunderstorms as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico returns to the area.
Elsewhere, drier air remains locked over the eastern half of the United States, contributing to record-breaking temperatures in parts of the Northeast.
Meanwhile, meteorologists are closely monitoring an area of low pressure located approximately 650 miles east-southeast of Bermuda. Although showers and thunderstorms associated with the system have diminished, forecasters say it still carries a 40% chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next two days.
If the system organizes quickly, it would become the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season — Tropical Storm Andrea. Regardless of development, forecasters emphasize that the storm poses no threat to the U.S. mainland as it continues its northeastward track over the open central Atlantic Ocean.
Locally, temperatures will be slightly cooler than average, with daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s and warm morning lows. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist through Friday. However, rain chances are expected to decrease just in time for the weekend and the highly anticipated Houston Pride Parade.
Officials urge residents to stay weather-aware and monitor updates as the unsettled weather pattern continues.
