Flood Watches, Heavy Rain Across Gulf and Southeast

A broad low-pressure system moving across the Gulf and Southeast will produce widespread heavy rain this weekend, prompting Flood Watches for much of Southeast Texas including Houston, where 2–4 inches are likely and isolated 4–6 inches are possible where storms stall. South Louisiana faces a Level 2 (Slight) SPC risk for damaging winds, localized flash flooding, and a few brief tornadoes, with average rainfall near 2–3 inches and isolated higher totals. Rain will spread from the Mid‑South (including Memphis) into the Carolinas with 1–3 inches possible, and unusually dry ground may increase localized flooding risk from fast rainfall rates. Forecasters warn of intense rainfall rates (up to 2–3 in/hr in the strongest storms), street and flash flooding, gusty winds and isolated hail, and urge people not to drive through floodwaters and to keep alerts enabled. A cold front will follow, bringing cooler, drier and breezier conditions to many affected areas early next week.