Houston is kicking off Tuesday with lingering morning rain, a muggy near-88°F afternoon, and a real thunderstorm threat after dark — keep that umbrella in the car and have a plan before you head out tonight.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service says rain showers are possible through about 10 AM CT, then skies will partly clear for the midday and early afternoon hours. High near 88°F — actually a touch below what late May normally delivers, thanks to the clouds and moisture overhead. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph will pile on the humidity near the Ship Channel and along Galveston Bay. If you’ve got anywhere to be, this is a great day to pack that anti-frizz hair serum — Houston air will be punishing.
Best Window To Be Outside
Your best outdoor window is roughly 10 AM to 4 PM CT. Memorial Park, Hermann Park, and Discovery Green will be pleasant enough during that stretch. After 4 PM, storm chances ramp up fast. The NWS expects showers and thunderstorms to become likely by evening, with activity possible as early as 7 PM CT. Skip the outdoor patio plans near the Galleria or along Washington Avenue without a solid backup.
Rain and Flood Risk
This is the part you need to pay attention to. The Weather Prediction Center has flagged a Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall across portions of Texas today. NWS Houston/Galveston forecasters note that atmospheric moisture is running well above normal (near 2 inches of precipitable water), and the strongest storms could dump 3 to 4 inches per hour. For the Bayou City — where Brays Bayou, Meyerland, and countless low-lying streets flood faster than the radar updates — this is a serious concern. Turn around, don’t drown. With back-to-back storm rounds expected through the week, a fully charged portable power station at home is smart prep right now.
Concerts at The Woodlands This Weekend
The weather looks a little more cooperative heading into the weekend, which is great news for a packed schedule at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Pitbull with special guest Lil Jon plays Friday, May 22 — grab tickets on SeatGeek and rep the show in a Pitbull t-shirt or Pitbull hat. Saturday, May 23 brings the mgk: Lost Americana Tour to The Woodlands — check our full preview and get tickets on StubHub. Throw a Pitbull hoodie in your bag for the post-show cooldown, or grab an mgk t-shirt to wear in.
Rainy Night Dinner Call
A stormy Tuesday evening is practically begging for comfort food. Toss everything into your programmable slow cooker before you leave — chili, beef stew, or chicken soup will be waiting when you get home. Prefer stovetop? An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is the move for a rich, slow-simmered pot of something warm. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything delivered to your door before the storms arrive.
Next Few Days
Wednesday stays unsettled — thunderstorms likely before 7 AM CT, then lingering chances through the day with a high near 85°F. NWS forecasters say 3 to 6 inches of cumulative rainfall is more likely than not (50–60% chance of 3+ inches) later this week and into the weekend. Flash flood awareness stays elevated all week across the Houston metro. Track the latest on the Houston weather forecast and check outdoor gear deals if you need rain gear before those Pavilion shows.
