• Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible Saturday night into early Sunday as a cold front moves across the region.

• Ahead of the cold front, elevated tides may produce coastal flooding and an enhanced rip current risk along Gulf-facing beaches. A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for late tonight into Saturday for the coastal counties facing the Gulf of Mexico.

Breezy, unseasonably warm and humid conditions will prevail today. Heat index values will reach the upper 90’s this afternoon. Strong southerly winds will increase across Southeast Texas and the adjacent coastal waters today and ahead of an approaching cold front. Windy conditions both of these days will result in tide levels exceeding 3.5 feet above MLLW, producing minor coastal flooding and increasing the rip current risk along Gulf-facing beaches.

The cold front is expected to sweep across the region morning with widespread showers and thunderstorms developing along the front. Thunderstorms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado. Locally heavy rain will also be possible, but the overall speed of this system should limit flooding concerns. The cold front and associated storms are expected to be clear of the region Sunday morning.

A strong capping inversion early Saturday night may limit the threat for severe weather. The weather Saturday night will be strongly dependent on whether and where the capping inversion breaks. At this time, the best potential for severe weather is expected to remain north of I-10.

• NWS Houston/Galveston Webpage: www.weather.gov/houston
• Hourly Forecasts (Click Your Location): https://forecast.weather.gov/gridpoint.php?site=hgx&TypeDefault=graphical
• West Gulf River Forecast Center Webpage: www.weather.gov/wgrfc
• AHPS Webpage: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=hgx