Severe Storms Expected Wednesday Across Southeast Texas

Southeast Texas, including Houston, expects widespread showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday. The KHOU 11 Weather Team has issued an hourly Weather Impact Alert, predicting rapid rain chances from mid-to-late morning to late afternoon.

The ground stop for departing planes to Bush (IAH) and Hobby (HOU) airports until 12:15 p.m. is the only storm watch or warning. In bad weather, aircraft at their originating airports are kept on the ground to prevent airborne holding and reduce congestion at destination airports.

Severe weather is most likely between 1 and 7 p.m., during the afternoon commute. Midday temperatures should reach 88 degrees.

Southeast Texas, including Houston, Sugar Land, Tomball, Conroe, Liberty, and El Campo, is under a Level 2 (Slight Risk) for severe thunderstorms from the Storm Prediction Center. This suggests scattered, powerful severe thunderstorms that may be short-lived.

The main hazards from these storms are severe wind gusts, the possibility of a tornado, and heavy downpours that could flood streets. Southeast Texas has a mild flood risk in Houston and moderate risk zones in Brenham, Huntsville, and Austin. Already saturated areas are prone to rapid water collection.

Forecasters expect a dry Wednesday morning before the first storms form between 10 and noon. Second, stronger round forecast from noon to 7 p.m., affecting afternoon rush hour. Isolated storms may last until 9-10 p.m. 

On Thursday morning, rain will return along the coast and extend inland by the commute, with conditions not fully improving until later in the day.

Run errands before 10 a.m. to avoid the worst of the weather, watch for flooded roadways, protect outside goods against strong winds, and be informed as weather conditions can change quickly.