Tropical Storm Edouard expected to bring moderate winds and rain to Houston area
Forecasters say Tropical Storm Edouard will make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border Tuesday, bringing gusty winds, modest rainfall and a brief flood alert for parts of the greater Houston region.
Tropical Storm Edouard is moving west-northwest at about 7 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph, according to the latest observations at 10 p.m. Central Time. Meteorologists anticipate the system will strengthen before landfall on Tuesday, potentially reaching Category 1 hurricane strength. The storm’s center is projected to come ashore near the Texas-Louisiana border around midday, then track northwestward, passing near Conroe or Huntsville later that night before dissipating south of Dallas.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for coastal areas from High Island to the Texas-Louisiana border, where tropical-storm-force winds are possible. Further south, including Galveston Island, wind gusts are expected to be lower, with most of the Houston region likely to see gusts in the 20-mph range and isolated peaks of 30-35 mph along and east of Interstate 45.
Rainfall will be uneven. The National Weather Service has issued a Stage 2 flood alert for areas east of I-45, indicating a risk of flash flooding, while a Stage 1 alert covers locations west of the highway. Expected totals range from 2-5 inches east of I-45, with higher amounts possible in spots such as Mont Belvieu, to 0.5-2 inches west of the corridor. Areas northwest, west and southwest of Houston, including Katy and Sugar Land, may receive limited rain depending on the storm’s exact track.
Overall conditions are expected to remain quiet overnight, with scattered showers and thunderstorms. By sunrise, outer bands may affect the upper Texas coast, and additional showers could linger into Tuesday night and Wednesday. Residents are advised to stay informed of updates, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and monitor the next forecast release scheduled for 7 a.m. CT on Tuesday.