Heavy Rainfall Expected for Texas and Louisiana Coastlines
As the weekend unfolds, Houston and New Orleans are bracing for potential downpours as weather systems off the Gulf of Mexico continue to develop. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is keeping a close eye on a broad area of thunderstorms that are currently soaking the coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
Monitoring Tropical Systems
A significant trough of low pressure has formed just offshore, creating a large, albeit disorganized, area of thunderstorms near the coastal regions. Conditions are uncertain, but the NHC has indicated that there might be a chance for this system to slowly develop into a tropical depression if it stays over the warm waters of the Gulf.
As of Saturday morning, there are no signs of the storm showing a closed circulation—an important marker for a developing storm system. For now, the NHC has provided low odds for this system to turn into a tropical depression within the next week.
Heavy Rain Feared
Regardless of whether this system develops into a tropical storm or not, the Gulf Coast is likely to see a significant amount of rain in the coming days. Estimates suggest rainfall totals could reach between 5 to 8 inches through Labor Day weekend, with some areas possibly experiencing up to a foot of rain. Flash flooding is a serious concern, particularly for regions along the upper Texas coast and southern Louisiana.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross stated, “Heavy rain and persistent rain is likely, especially south of Interstate 10.” However, it is expected that some of this moisture will reach further north as well, affecting major metro areas like Houston and New Orleans, along with cities such as Lake Charles and Lafayette.
Already, Houston has seen over an inch of rainfall since Thursday, while over 3 inches have been reported across New Orleans. Flood Watches are active throughout southern Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast until Saturday evening.
Galveston’s Struggles
In Galveston, local conditions are less than ideal, with the city already trailing a staggering 19 inches over average for annual rainfall. Visitors and residents alike are feeling the effects of the ongoing rainfall, straying further from their usual Labor Day weekend activities on the beach.
Kimberly Williams, a visitor to Galveston from Denver expressed her frustration, saying, “(My daughter) is so sad she wants to go swimming and run and… I don’t know if the rain’s for her. The sunshine normally makes the beach a very nice place.”
Additionally, Galveston is still working to recover from the damage point from earlier tropical systems that have hit the region, leading to beach erosion. Kyle Clark, Galveston’s Coastal Resources Manager, noted that the city has managed to restore about 70-80% of the beachfront impacted by past storms. However, concerns about further erosion are on the rise, especially if heavy rain adds to the existing conditions.
More Developments in the Gulf
As authorities monitor this particular weather system, the NHC has reported that it is not the only situation of interest in the Atlantic. There are two additional disturbances being tracked. One system is located about halfway across the Atlantic and currently has a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. Another disturbance has emerged off the west coast of Africa, but its odds for development remain low for now.
The NHC indicates that meteorological conditions may change, and there is potential for new weather developments in the Gulf and Atlantic regions as the peak of hurricane season approaches.
Conclusion
Residents and travelers along the Gulf Coast should stay alert for warnings and prepare for a wet weekend. Continued rainfall could lead to hazards, including flooding and disruption of outdoor plans as families seek to enjoy the last holiday of summer.
