Featured Image Courtesy of NOAA

After weeks of persistent hot and dry weather, a change in the weather pattern could bring increased rain chances and potentially cooler temperatures to Southeast Texas next week.

Several weather features are expected to come together over the coming days. Hurricane Polo, currently located off the western coast of Mexico, is forecast to move northwest toward the Baja California region through the weekend. At the same time, a strong upper-level weather system moving across the western United States is expected to push a cold front south toward Texas.

As these systems interact, tropical moisture associated with Polo could be pulled northeast into Texas as early as Monday. That moisture, combined with increasing Gulf moisture and the approaching front, could create favorable conditions for showers and thunderstorms across the state and region.

Rain chances may begin increasing Monday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible as moisture returns to the area. More widespread rainfall, including the potential for periods of heavy rain, could develop by the middle to latter part of next week.

Residents should continue monitoring the forecast over the coming days as details become clearer.

Stay Weather Aware with the Harris County Flood Warning System

With rain chances expected to increase, now is a good time to become familiar with the Harris County Flood Warning System.

The Flood Warning System uses a network of gages across Harris County to provide near real-time information about rainfall and water surface elevations in bayous and channels. 

Residents can use the system to monitor conditions near their homes, workplaces, and travel routes as weather moves through the area. Users can also sign up for customized alerts to receive notifications when rainfall or water levels reach selected thresholds.

Visit harriscountyfws.org to explore the map, check conditions and sign up for alerts before the next round of rainfall arrives.

Weather insights provided by Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist.