Houston Weather Alert: Severe Storms, Flash Flood Warnings & Heat Index—What You Need to Know Today

HOUSTON—Rain-soaked commutes and booming afternoon thunderstorms are back in the forecast as a slow-moving disturbance parks over Southeast Texas today. Meteorologists warn that the Houston weather pattern through Thursday could drop two to four inches of rainfall in pockets, with isolated higher amounts leading to rapid street flooding—especially in low-lying neighborhoods inside Loop 610 and along the Gulf Freeway. What to expect today (Wednesday, May 28) • Storm timing: First showers bubbled up near sunrise; the most widespread downpours are projected from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Rain intensity: The Weather Prediction Center places Houston in a Level 2 of 5 “slight risk” for excessive rainfall, while the Storm Prediction Center keeps a marginal (Level 1) risk for severe wind gusts and quarter-size hail. • Temperatures: Highs struggle to break 86-88 °F thanks to thick cloud cover; heat index tops out near 90 °F. • Flood threat: Training cells may repeatedly cross the same corridors, quickly overwhelming bayous and storm drains—turn around, don’t drown on water-covered roads. Thursday: more of the same The upper disturbance lingers, so scattered thunderstorms redevelop after lunchtime. Coverage should be a notch lower, but any storm that stalls could still dump an inch in less than an hour. Afternoon highs remain in the mid-80s. Gradual clearing for the weekend • Friday: Only spotty showers; highs rebound to 89 °F. • Saturday–Sunday: Mostly dry, a steamy mix of sun and clouds with highs in the low 90s and humidity near 60 %. Isolated 10-20 % rain chances linger each afternoon. • Early next week: Ridge of high pressure builds; temperatures climb to 92-94 °F with minimal rainfall. Safety tips and travel impacts 1. Keep a weather radio or smartphone alerts on: warnings may pop with little lead-time. 2. Allow extra braking distance; hydroplaning risk rises once rain starts. 3. If you lost power during Monday night’s storms, restock batteries and flashlights—brief outages are possible again under collapsing storm cores. 4. Outdoor plans for Memorial-week barbecues? Have a sturdy shelter option until storms pass; lightning can strike 10 miles from a rain shaft. Why the pattern matters Persistent late-May rains recharge local reservoirs and ease drought pockets, but they also prime soils ahead of June 1, the official start of hurricane season. Saturated ground can amplify tree-fall and flash-flood potential in any future tropical system. Bottom line Carry the umbrella, expect slow-going drives, and stay weather-aware through Thursday. After that, Houston slides back into typical early-summer heat—just in time for weekend pool days and Astros home stands. Source: FOX 26 Houston weather team briefing, May 28, 2025