Drought-stricken Texas making up for lost rain as September soaker stalls along South
The FOX Forecast Center is tracking days of storms across the South with the threat of flash flooding every day this week.
Stalled front brings days of relentless rain to South
The FOX Forecast Center is tracking days of storms across the South with the threat of flash flooding every day this week.
SAN ANGELO, Texas – In an unusual setup, widespread rain is falling across the Lone Star State this week, with the bulk of precipitation falling along the I-10 corridor.
Some places may receive over 5 inches of rain, which is nearly two months' worth in this part of the country. In Millersview, 9.10 inches of rain has fallen over the past 48 hours, with more rain expected through the week.
On Monday, Galveston recorded a record daily rainfall of 5.60 inches, breaking the old record of 4.64 inches set in 1941. More than half of that rain fell in just one hour, prompting a Flash Flood Warning, the FOX Forecast Center said.
The sixth-highest one-day rainfall on record (3.63 inches) was also set in Midland, about 530 miles to the northwest. The city averages 4.10 inches of rain for August, September and October, so this was nearly three months' worth of rain in a day.
Texas had a fairly dry August with rain totals a couple of inches below average, the FOX Forecast Center said.
This rain will make up most, if not all, of that deficit and seriously reduce the ongoing drought conditions. Currently, nearly 43% of Texas is in a state of moderate drought – a Level 1 out of 4 – or worse.
Texas welcomes unexpected widespread rain with open arms
Texas saw a couple inches below average for rainfall totals in August. Now, between the rain that has fallen and the rain still to come, some places may pick up over 5 inches.
A Flood Watch is in effect for much of west-central Texas through Tuesday evening, mainly for areas along and south of Interstate 20. Additional Flood Watches are in effect for parishes in southern Louisiana.
Southeast swamped by showers
A stormy stretch of days is shaping up for the Southeast, as a stalled front drapes across the region.
The front will act as a conveyor belt for storms to move along, allowing the rain to pile up. It will take time to try to lift back north due to a big blocking high-pressure system sitting across the Northeast, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Rain will begin to clear out gradually each day as the northern high starts to scoot east over the Atlantic. Until that happens, expect a deluge of rain, and with it comes the chance of flash flooding every day this week.
This system is the same that the National Hurricane Center was previously watching for development along the Texas and Louisiana coasts. However, with the low-pressure system expected to move onshore by midweek, any risk of tropical development has diminished.
Adding to the already-messy week, an area of low pressure may try to form along the front, enhancing rain for Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas into the weekend.