A flash flood watch has been issued for the entire metro San Antonio area, as the tropical wave known as Invest 95 begins moving onto the Texas coast, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Radar shows the bulk of the clouds coming ashore in the Victoria area, which has prompted the National Weather Service to move its prediction for the areas that will get the most rain from the southwest of San Antonio to the east and northeast.
The best guidance now is that metro San Antonio can expect 2 to 4 inches of rain through late Saturday or early Sunday.
But even one inch of rain will lead to street and road flooding, which has prompted TxDOT to move resources into San Antonio to help clear the roads of debris.
"We have about 100 personnel to 100 pieces of equipment," spokesman Hernan Rozemberg said. "From Bobcats to hauling trucks, dump trucks, all kinds of equipment."
The rains are not expected to lead to catastrophic property damage flooding in metro San Antonio, but will lead to closed roads and intersections, and many of those roads will remain barricaded well after the rains end.
The good news...the rain moves out of our forecast on Monday and sunny weather returns
FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE:
Low (20%) chance for tropical cyclone formation over the western Gulf of Mexico within the next 48 hours. Disturbance likely moving inland within the next 12-18 hours, limiting its ability to developPotential for tropical funnel clouds east of Highway 281, south of I-10 today as system moves inland; these will be short-lived and are not expected to touch down.Regardless of development, the main impact from this system will be periods of heavy rain and potential flooding today through late Saturday across South Central Texas. Heavy rain may linger into Sunday for the Rio Grande Plains.Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches with isolated pockets near 5 inches are possible. Difficult to pinpoint where isolated heavier pockets occur.Heavy rainfall and flooding still of greatest concern for the Coastal Plains, San Antonio metro area, portions of the Hill Country, and Rio Grande Plains.Flash flooding of low water crossings, underpasses, and urban areas possible; minor to moderate flooding possible on Rio Grande, Nueces, Frio, and San Antonio Rivers.
Overview:
Chances of formation for the disturbance in the Gulf continue to decrease early this morning, with the system expected to move inland in the next 12-18 hours. Regardless of tropical development, the main story will be heavy rainfall from this disturbance. Moisture from the disturbance will arrive into South Central Texas today and persist through the weekend, bringing periods of rainfall, heavy at times. The favored areas for heaviest rainfall amounts and potential flooding currently look to be across the Coastal Plains, San Antonio metro area, portions of the Hill Country, today through late Saturday, and over the Rio Grande plains today through Sunday. 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated totals near 5 inches will be possible today through Sunday across these areas. It is difficult at this time to pinpoint where exactly the pockets of heaviest rainfall will set up. While the totals may be spread out over three days, many areas are saturated or near-saturated from recent rainfall and as little as a quick 1 inch of rainfall could bring flash flooding. Adjustments to rainfall amounts and favored locations are still possible.
Finally, we've had some inquires about Tropical Storm Isaac currently in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Isaac is forecast to degenerate into an open wave across the central Caribbean Sea. Some models suggest regeneration into a tropical cyclone could occur next week across the western Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Predictability of this occurring, and potential impacts beyond 7 days, is too low to accurately forecast at this time.