Houston is waking up to cloudy conditions Friday with a high near 77°F and a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 7 AM CT—so if you’ve got outdoor plans, plan to pivot indoors by mid-morning.
This is a wet weekend shaping up across the Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service is tracking an isolated flash flood threat through Saturday as moisture-laden air collides with a slow-moving frontal boundary offshore. Areawide rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible—especially in low-lying areas and urban zones around the Bayou City and surrounding neighborhoods. The Storm Prediction Center isn’t calling this a widespread severe weather outbreak, but the Weather Prediction Center has flagged a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall for portions of the central Gulf Coast, with the highest impact potential centered along the I-10 corridor.
Today’s Setup
East winds will stay light at around 5 mph. Showers and thunderstorms are most likely after 7 AM CT, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. If you’re heading to the Dave Matthews Band concert tonight at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion sponsored by Huntsman, bring an umbrella and grab a Dave Matthews Band hoodie or Dave Matthews Band t-shirt to stay comfortable. You can Get tickets on SeatGeek if you haven’t locked yours in yet.
Friday Night Into Saturday
Thunderstorms persist Friday night with a 40% chance and lows around 72°F. Saturday afternoon brings another round—a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 82°F. The National Weather Service notes that above-average moisture (PWAT values 1.75–1.9 inches, well above the 75th percentile for May) combined with deep cloud layers will support efficient rainfall production. However, fast wind shear will help storms move along rather than training over one spot, which keeps the flash flood threat isolated rather than widespread.
Rain, Wind, & Flash Flood Risk
If you live near bayous, creeks, or in areas prone to ponding—think neighborhoods along Buffalo Bayou, Brays Bayou, or the Addicks/Barker reservoir zones—monitor rainfall rates closely through Saturday. The heaviest rain could arrive in pulses, especially over impervious surfaces. Stay weather-aware and avoid driving through flooded roads. This is the legacy of Hurricane Harvey: our ground is still sensitive to heavy rainfall.
Best Window To Be Outside
If you absolutely must be outdoors, early Friday morning before 7 AM CT is your safest bet. Overnight Thursday into Friday is mostly cloudy with only a 4% rain chance. Otherwise, wait until Sunday, when drier weather moves in after the frontal passage.
Golfers looking to hit the links should hold off until early next week—weekend courses will be soggy. Check back Monday or Tuesday for better conditions.
Grilling & Weekend Dining
With rain in the forecast, save your outdoor grilling for next week when drier, warmer weather arrives. But if you’re determined to cook outdoors, a portable propane grill will let you fire up burgers or steaks under cover. Grab an instant-read meat thermometer and a grill brush and scraper set to keep everything in top shape. For a Mother’s Day weekend dinner inside, consider a nice tri-tip—we’ve got a great guide on how to smoke tri-tip like brisket on a pellet grill. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Sunday brings a 30–50% chance of rain with the frontal boundary’s final push, then mostly drier and warmer weather moves in for the middle of next week. The Astros face the Seattle Mariners on Monday (May 11) at Daikin Park—that’s City Connect Monday, and the weather should be much friendlier for tailgating. Grab Official team gear on Fanatics and Find tickets on StubHub to secure your spot.
For more detailed Houston weather forecast updates, check back here daily. Stay safe out there, neighbors.
