Weather Impact Alert: Damaging winds, downpours expected across the Houston area this afternoon

HOUSTON — Wednesday will bring another day with widespread showers and thunderstorms.  Rain chances ramp up quickly mid to late morning and last through the late afternoon. 

The KHOU 11 Weather Team has issued an hourly Weather Impact Alert as storm chances ramp up after 11 a.m., with the highest risk of severe weather between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

Temperatures will peak near 88° midday, and scattered thunderstorms, some severe, are expected during the afternoon commute. 

Stay weather-aware during the evening as storms could linger into the early nighttime hours.

A Level 2 out of 5 (Slight Risk) has been issued for much of Southeast Texas, including Houston, Sugar Land, Tomball, Conroe, Liberty, and El Campo. This means there’s an elevated risk for damaging wind gusts and a potential isolated tornado, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.

Threats include:

• Damaging wind gusts
• Isolated tornado
• Heavy downpours leading to street flooding

A slight flood risk extends across the Houston metro area today, with moderate risk zones further north and west, including Brenham, Huntsville, and Austin. Storms this afternoon could bring heavy downpours, especially to already saturated areas, raising the risk of street flooding and low-lying water accumulation.

Expect a mostly dry morning. The first round of storms should begin between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., with scattered thunderstorms likely across the area into the early evening.

Expect two rounds of storms today:

• Mid to late morning (10 a.m. – noon): Initial round of showers and thunderstorms begins to develop.
• Afternoon to early evening (Noon – 7 p.m.): A second, stronger round is likely, coinciding with the afternoon commute.
• Evening (through 9–10 p.m.): Storms may linger in isolated areas before tapering off.

Thursday morning: Rain returns early along the coast, spreading inland by the commute. Conditions may not fully wind down until later in the day.

• Entire Houston metro is under a Level 2 risk for severe storms.
• Northwest of Houston (e.g., Wharton, Columbus, north of Katy): May see the first signs of morning activity.
• South and coastal areas (e.g., Galveston, Pearland): Could see evening storms as activity shifts southward.

• Prep early: Run errands before 10 a.m. to avoid storm activity.
• Watch for flooded roads: Street flooding is possible during and after downpours.
• Secure outdoor items: Strong wind gusts could knock down unsecured objects.
• Stay alert: Keep notifications on for watches or warnings. Conditions could escalate quickly.

“Don’t drive through flooded roads. You know the drill — we’ve done this before,” says KHOU 11 Meteorologist Pat Cavlin.

• Thursday: Another weather alert day. Expect widespread rain with 2–4 inches likely and isolated totals up to 6–8 inches.
• Friday: Less active but still scattered showers.
• Weekend: Drier breaks with heat returning early next week.
• Tropics: No storm development expected over the next 7 days.
• Father’s Day (Sunday) is trending drier but still warm.

Counties we serve:

Harris County (including Houston, Pasadena, Baytown), Fort Bend County (Richmond, Sugar Land, Missouri City), Montgomery County (Conroe, The Woodlands), Brazoria County (Angleton, Pearland, Alvin, Lake Jackson), Galveston County (Galveston, League City, Texas City), Liberty County (Liberty, Cleveland, Dayton), Walker County (Huntsville, New Waverly), Waller County (Hempstead, Prairie View, Waller), Polk County (Livingston, Corrigan), Chambers County (Anahuac, Mont Belvieu, Winnie), Wharton County (Wharton, El Campo), Washington County (Brenham), Matagorda County (Bay City, Palacios), Grimes County (Anderson, Navasota), Austin County (Bellville, Sealy), Colorado County (Columbus, Eagle Lake, Weimar), Trinity County (Groveton, Trinity).