Texans may want backup plans for outdoor Labor Day activities as storms, flash flooding, and a sluggish cold front bring unsettled weather across the state.
As a slow-moving cold front moves across the state, experts say that people planning to be outside over the Labor Day weekend should be ready for unstable weather. There could be widespread showers, thunderstorms, and flooding.
The National Weather Service said that the front will move into Southeast Texas over the weekend. This will make it more likely for it to rain in Houston and the surrounding areas. The boundary will likely not hit the Gulf of Mexico until late Sunday night or early Monday morning, but it will happen "eventually." Because things are moving so slowly, the area will be more likely to flood for most of the vacation.
High temperatures will be close to 95 degrees on Friday, and there is a slight chance of rain, mostly east of Interstate 45, where scattered storms are more likely. By Saturday, the chance of rain in the Houston area jumps sharply to 70%. On Sunday, the chance drops only slightly to 60% because the front is still there.
A forecast from the National Weather Service said, "How dry it is for Labor Day will depend on how far the front moves this weekend and how much drier air can move in behind it."
Because the front is moving slowly, there are worries about localized flash floods, especially in places that often flood. Southeast Texas will see the most rain on Saturday and Sunday, but storms may make other areas unsafe.
As the boundary moves southward, it could lead to severe thunderstorms in North Texas, accompanied by lightning, strong winds, and potential flooding in certain areas. In the Panhandle, storm clusters may cause heavy rain and flash floods near Amarillo.
Behind the front, dry and slightly cooler air could get into Southeast Texas by the beginning of next week. But weather experts warned that how much relief there is and how long it lasts will depend on how far offshore the front can push.
People traveling or hoping to celebrate outside on Labor Day should check the weather forecast and prepare indoor activities in case it rains. Even short-lived rainstorms could cause streets to flood in low-lying areas. Storms that last longer could cause creeks and rivers across the state to rise more significantly.
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