Gulf Storm Keeps Rain Away From Most of Texas Over the Next 7 Days as Sunshine and Warm Afternoons Take Over
Texas – While a developing storm in the Gulf is grabbing headlines along the northern Gulf Coast, it is expected to have the opposite effect on Texas. Over the next seven days, the Gulf system is forecast to keep nearly all of the rain away from the Lone Star State, leaving most areas with plenty of sunshine and warm afternoons. Rainfall projections show only light amounts for a handful of locations, with much of the state staying completely dry.
Very Little Rain in the Forecast
Seven-day rainfall projections show very little rain for most of Texas. San Antonio is expected to pick up only about 0.02 inches, while much of North Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, along with West Texas around Lubbock and Odessa, shows little to no rain at all.
Houston and the upper Texas coast could see slightly more, with projections around 0.27 inches, mainly from scattered showers near the coast. Even there, totals are expected to stay light.
Neighboring Areas Also Mostly Dry
The dry pattern extends beyond Texas. Albuquerque, New Mexico is expected to see only about 0.02 inches of rain over the next week. In northern Mexico, Chihuahua could pick up around 0.15 inches, while Monterrey may see about 0.34 inches.
Farther west, along Mexico’s Pacific side, Culiacán could see much more, with around 1.55 inches possible, tied to tropical moisture along the Pacific coast.
Heavy Rain Stays Offshore in the Gulf
The heaviest rain in the region is expected to stay over the Gulf waters, east and southeast of the Texas coast. Rainfall projections show a large area of heavy rain over the western and central Gulf, tied to the developing tropical system known as Invest 92L, which could become Tropical Storm Isaias.
Most forecast guidance takes that system northward toward the northern Gulf Coast, near Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, rather than toward Texas. That means the bulk of its rain is expected to fall well east of the state.
Why the Gulf Storm Keeps Texas Dry
When a tropical system develops and moves away from an area, it can actually help pull drier air in behind it and around its western side. As the storm draws moisture toward itself and moves north and east, areas to its west, including much of Texas, often end up under sinking air and drier conditions. That setup favors sunshine and warm temperatures while limiting rain chances.
Plenty of Sunshine and Warm Afternoons
With dry air in place, much of Texas can expect sunny skies and warm afternoons over the next week. In North Texas, temperatures are expected to stay in the 80s, with a chance of reaching 90 degrees by next weekend into early the following week. Central and South Texas will also stay warm, with plenty of sunshine.
Mornings will be comfortable in many areas, especially in West Texas and the Panhandle, where dry air allows temperatures to cool off at night.
Good News for Outdoor Plans
The dry, sunny pattern is great news for anyone with outdoor plans across Texas. High school and college football games, fall festivals, the State Fair of Texas, and weekend events should see mostly dry weather. It is also a good stretch for harvest work across farms in the Plains and Central Texas.
Dry Ground Could Become a Concern
While the sunshine is welcome for many, a week without rain can cause lawns, gardens, and fields to dry out, especially in areas that missed out on recent heavy rain. Residents may need to water plants more often, particularly during the warmest afternoons.
Dry vegetation combined with breezy days can also raise the risk of grass fires. Residents should be careful with outdoor burning, equipment that can create sparks, and tossing cigarettes.
Coastal Conditions to Watch
Even though Texas is not expected to see heavy rain from the Gulf system, coastal areas could still deal with rough surf and rip currents as the storm develops offshore. Beachgoers along the Texas coast, including Galveston, Port Aransas, and South Padre Island, should use caution and pay attention to beach warnings.
Keep an Eye on the Tropics
Forecasts for tropical systems can change, so Texans should still keep an eye on updates from the National Hurricane Center over the coming days. For now, the main message for Texas is dry, sunny, and warm weather.
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