Weather Tropical storm warning issued for parts of southeast Texas, flood watch in Harris County The storm, which is expected to bring its heaviest downpours on Tuesday, could bring flash flooding to Southeast Texas. Though meteorologists currently predict rain to be a greater concern than wind, it could develop into a short-lived tropical storm. Rob Salinas / Michael Adkison | Posted on August 31, 2026, 9:13 AM (Last Updated: August 31, 2026, 1:32 PM ) Share Facebook Twitter/X LinkedIn Email National Weather Service Houston/Galveston A forecast of heavy rainfall risks on Sept. 1, 2026, from the National Weather Service. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of southeast Texas along the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center reported Monday morning, with Harris and Galveston Counties under a flood watch. The region is expected to be hit with as much as several inches of rain falling in southeast Texas. The tropical storm warning covers Port Bolivar and areas eastward along the coast into Louisiana. Maximum winds are predicted to be near 35 mph with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center. Most areas east of I-45, including Harris and Galveston Counties, are under a flood watch from 1 a.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Sign up for the Hello, Houston! daily newsletter to get local reports like this delivered directly to your inbox. The storm, now labeled as Tropical Depression 5, is expected to bring heavy rainfall by Tuesday morning which will continue throughout the day. Parts of southeast Texas, including Houston, are at a slight risk for excessive rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, with surrounding areas at a marginal risk. NWS forecasted the system will strengthen to become a tropical storm as soon as Monday afternoon. "There is a possibility it could become a tropical storm before it makes landfall,” Brian Kyle, an NWS meteorologist, said. “It should be a short lived one if it does intensify enough.” Scattered thunderstorms are expected to begin Monday night, with increased storms throughout the day Tuesday. There could be flash flooding, with NWS predicting rainfall rates exceeding 3-4 inches per hour during the heaviest downpours. National Weather Service Houston/Galveston A forecast of rainfall totals on Sept. 1, 2026, from the National Weather Service. Current forecasting projects the storm will have a sharp cut-off between areas with little to no rainfall and areas with several inches of rainfall. The trajectory the storm takes will determine where the higher rainfall totals occur. The chances of tropical storm force gusts have decreased since the NWS last issued its forecast. Houston only has a 1% chance, and Galveston has a 2% chance. Further east, Port Arthur has a 30% chance. Most guidance from NWS keeps the system as either a weak tropical storm or a tropical depression. "With any tropical system, you could get some gusty winds, especially near the coast and offshore,” Kyle said. “For those folks further inland, metro area and northward, we are looking more of a rainfall impact," said Kyle. If the system does develop into a named storm it would be called Edouard. It would likely have a short lifespan before crossing over land. Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1 p.m. on Aug. 31 to include the latest information from the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. Local News Weather National Weather Service Houston/Galveston rain rainfall tropical development tropical storm weather
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.houstonpublicmedia.org