Houston is facing widespread rain and thunderstorms today with a high near 70°F and an 80% chance of precipitation that could lead to street flooding in some neighborhoods.
If you’re planning to venture out around the Houston metro today, leave the umbrella by the door—you’ll definitely need it. Rain will be heaviest between 7 AM and 5 PM CT, with showers and thunderstorms likely throughout the afternoon. Our friends at the National Weather Service are calling for rainfall amounts between a quarter and half inch, but locally heavier downpours could dump more, especially around the Bayou City’s flood-prone areas near Buffalo Bayou and the Brays Bayou corridor.
Here’s what the meteorologists are telling us: moisture from the Gulf is absolutely loaded right now—we’re talking near the 75th percentile for water vapor. That’s the scientific way of saying “this system has plenty of fuel.” East winds at 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph will keep things breezy, but the real story is the rain. Because of that drier air aloft we’ve been tracking, not all the rain that forms will reach the ground, but what does will be enough to cause street flooding in low-lying areas.
What to do today: If you were planning outdoor activities around Shell Energy Stadium or any of our parks, reschedule for later in the week. This is a great day to work from home if you can, or plan some indoor time. If you do have to be out, grab a packable rain jacket and a compact travel umbrella—both will keep you dry during those heavy downpours. A waterproof phone pouch is also smart if you’re navigating wet streets around downtown or Midtown.
For those with kids heading to school or daycare, pack rain boots and maybe some rain boot shoe covers to keep their feet dry. The Houston Dynamo FC match against San Diego FC at Shell Energy Stadium on Thursday looks much better weather-wise, so save your tailgating energy for then.
Rain continues into Tuesday night with another 50% chance and gusts still around 20 mph. Wednesday brings even more rain—another 80% chance with temperatures warming to around 80°F. This wet pattern continues into the weekend, so don’t put away that rain gear just yet.
Dinner idea: This is perfect slow cooker weather. Set a programmable slow cooker with beef stew or chili this morning before you head out, and come home to comfort food tonight. A warm bowl of soup hits differently on days like this. Did you know you can order groceries on Amazon? Get everything you need for tonight’s dinner delivered straight to your door.
Looking ahead: Wednesday stays rainy but warmer. By Thursday and Friday, we’ll see gradual clearing with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s—much more typical for late April in Houston.
Stay safe out there, and remember: never drive through flooded streets. Turn around, don’t drown!
