Map Shows Where Nearly Foot of Rain Could Fall This Week

Heavy rain has lashed Texas and Louisiana this week, and more rain is expected along the Gulf Coast in the coming days, according to a National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center forecast.

As much as 9 inches of rain have fallen in some parts of Texas already, with a Weather Prediction Center rainfall map forecasting an additional 7 inches of rain to fall by this coming Sunday. The highest rain totals are expected to remain offshore, according to the map. Rain has already led to flash flooding concerns across the state, with cars submerged and houses surrounded by the floodwaters.

The NWS’ forecast comes as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) monitors three disturbances further out in the Atlantic. Each of the systems has less than a 40 percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next two days, and NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Richard Bann told Newsweek that the systems aren’t related to the ongoing rain along the Gulf Coast.

Bann attributed the moisture-laden storms to an “area of disturbed weather” associated with the middle and upper parts of the atmosphere. The storms are prompting a slew of flash flood warnings to be issued across Central Texas on Tuesday.

“Any storms that can and do form will be really good rainmakers,” Bann said. “They will be really efficient at turning atmospheric moisture into rain.”

The storms also are slow-moving, which will add to the rain totals. Bann said the moisture-laden storms aren’t uncommon for this time of year, although they have contributed to locally high rainfall totals, including dumping enough rain in Galveston on Monday to break a daily rainfall record by nearly an inch.

Various NWS offices in Texas warned of “life-threatening” flash floods and urged motorists not to drive through flooded roadways. In San Angelo, NWS meteorologists extended a flood watch until early Wednesday morning.

According to the forecast map, much of Texas is expecting at least another half-inch of rain through the end of the week. Cities closer to the coast are expecting as much as 7 more inches of rain, with a similar forecast issued for southern Louisiana.

The highest pockets of rain will occur off the coast, with gulf waters expecting as much as 15 inches of rain over the coming days.

Traces of rain are possible across much of the rest of the U.S. as well, with the highest totals concentrated in the U.S. South. The West Coast will likely remain dry as excessive heat continues this week.