Chances of heavy rain will return to Texas just a week after deadly flooding

The Lone Star State is once again bracing for heavy rainfall and severe weather over the weekend, following the historic and deadly flooding that occurred on July Fourth. While the worst of the storms is expected to pass north of the areas that were recently devastated, residents in the Texas Hill Country are being urged to remain vigilant.

Thunderstorm complexes are predicted to develop on Saturday afternoon over parts of the Texas Panhandle, Big Bend, and North Texas, as a result of a persistent heat dome that is affecting much of the western United States. Cities such as Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland, Abilene, and Dallas are at risk of experiencing flash flooding, hail, and damaging wind gusts throughout the weekend and into the early part of next week.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat for most of West Texas, the Panhandle, and North Texas. Computer models suggest that some areas could receive between 2-4 inches of rain, although the heaviest precipitation is expected to stay north of the Hill Country.

The ground in the affected areas is already saturated, making them highly vulnerable to flooding. Even a small amount of rain could lead to further flooding, according to FOX Weather Meteorologist Michael Estime. Atmospheric moisture levels are expected to be in the 90th percentile for this time of year, primarily north of Interstate 20.

With a weak steering flow in place, storms could move slowly and erratically, posing an increased risk of flooding. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock over an adult, while a foot of rushing water is enough to carry away a passenger vehicle.

In areas where rainfall occurs, temperatures are expected to remain below seasonal averages into next week, offering some relief from the summer heat. However, central and southern Texas, which are still recovering from the recent flooding, will face dangerous heat instead.

Hundreds of first responders and volunteers are continuing to search for missing individuals following the deadly flood wave that swept through recreational sites along the Guadalupe River. Meanwhile, a cold front stretching from Canada through the Great Lakes and into the Southern Plains is expected to bring a broad swath of showers and thunderstorms, affecting not just Texas but other regions as well.