Holiday Weekend Brings Threat of ‘Heavy Rainfall’ Across Texas

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are forecasting that the Labor Day holiday weekend could see several inches of rainfall across Texas and several other southern states.

On Friday, the NWS West Gulf River Forecast Center (WGRFC) posted a rainfall map showing that parts of Texas were expecting up to 7 inches of rain this weekend. Several inches of rain also are forecast to hit Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. The rain forecast comes as meteorologists issued a flash flood warning and other rain-related weather alerts in the New Orleans area on Friday morning due to a slow-moving thunderstorm.

“Heavy rainfall is expected for the Labor Day weekend and will likely continue through next week,” the NWS WGRFC posted to X, formerly Twitter, with the rainfall map. “Significant river flooding is not anticipated but some local rises on smaller basins are possible.”

The incoming rainfall isn’t expected to cause any catastrophic flooding, the forecast said, although it might put a damper on holiday weekend celebrations. Drought is prevalent across the regions expecting rainfall, and the forecast said rain would likely prove beneficial for the dry areas.

According to the map, the Houston area could see up to 7 inches of rain. Outside of coastal Texas cities, widespread amounts of 2 to 5 inches of rain are expected throughout the Lone Star State. Parts of Louisiana also could see up to 5 inches of rain, and Oklahoma and Arkansas could see up to 2.5 inches.

NWS meteorologist Hayley Adams told Newsweek that it’s possible the storm systems will “set up offshore” and not impact coastal areas with heavy rainfall. However, she said the forecast currently shows the highest rain amounts over the Texas-Louisiana border.

Heavy rain isn’t uncommon for Texas during this time of year.

“There are times where we get deep tropical moisture like what we have going on right now that can cause an extended period of daily rain chances,” Adams said.

The NWS office in Houston said that the heaviest rains are expected on Friday and Saturday, with even more rain being forecasted for early next week. So far, the office is predicting rainfall amounts that could cause ponding on roadways and rising creeks and streams from runoff.

“Wet conditions are expected to continue throughout the upcoming Labor Day weekend, with rain chances and amounts highest near the coast,” NWS Houston posted on X on Friday. “Temperatures should generally reach the upper 80s to near 90 for the next several days.”

As of Friday afternoon, a hazardous weather outlook was in place across much of Texas.

“Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for today and early this evening. A few storms could produce gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall. No other hazardous weather is expected,” the NWS’ outlook said.

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Wet conditions are expected to continue throughout the upcoming Labor Day weekend, with rain chances and amounts highest near the coast. Temperatures should generally reach the upper 80s to near 90 for the next several days. #houwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/IWuPtAITJV

— NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) August 30, 2024