Rain chances on the rise...gradually

There are already a few showers on radar this morning off the coast of Galveston and over coastal parishes of Louisiana. That's a good sign that things are changing. The ridge of high pressure is loosening its grip and moisture levels are starting to increase...all so slowly. The activity this morning won't really translate to inland areas through the day, unfortunately. I don't really anticipate much over the Houston area, but we could see a few isolated showers and storms in and around Acadiana. I'm expecting around a 10% coverage. Temperatures will remain hot, probably a degree or so lower than yesterday.

A weak cold front sagging in from the north will further increase rain chances tomorrow with much of Acadiana seeing a 50/50 shot of showers and thunderstorms, mainly from mid afternoon through early evening. Farther west, rain chances will be lower over Houston...around 20-30%. There will be a lot of instability around, so thunderstorms that do get going, could become briefly strong at times and pose a risk of localized strong wind gusts and frequent lightning. Heavy down pours, of course, will accompany thunderstorms as well. I'm not expecting any flash flooding concerns as storms should not train or stay in one spot for too long. Temperatures tomorrow could actually be warmer in some spots when compared to today. This mainly due to winds lightening up in advance of the weak front.

For Sunday, a lot will depend on what happens tomorrow. In general though, rain chances will be higher as moisture will be pooled around that dissipating front. Clouds and increased rain chances will keep afternoon highs down.

The ridge of high pressure tries to build back in next week and moisture levels decrease a tad so look for a return to hotter and drier weather next week. It doesn't look as dry/hot as this week, but there remains a lot of uncertainty on the ridge location and available Gulf moisture.