Weather system forming near Texas, Louisiana expected to strengthen

Multiple school districts in Southeast Texas announced on Monday that they will close schools on Tuesday as Tropical Depression Five approaches the region. The closures, announced by districts such as HISD, are in place due to inclement weather conditions, as reported by ABC13. While there have been no closures announced for Wednesday, officials are closely monitoring weather conditions and will provide updates as necessary.

A flood watch has also been issued for Houston and much of Southeast Texas, with heavy rain expected to begin along the upper Texas coast before sunrise on Tuesday and spread inland toward Houston around midday. The flood watch covers areas generally along and east of Interstate 45 and includes Houston, Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, San Jacinto, and Polk counties.

Rainfall amounts may vary across the region, with the highest risk of flooding in areas east of Interstate 45, where 3 to 5 inches of rain could fall through Tuesday night and early Wednesday, with some spots potentially seeing 6 to 9 inches. Flash flooding is also a concern, especially in cities, as rain could fall at rates of more than 3 to 4 inches per hour.

The storm's path will determine where the heaviest rain falls, with a track closer to Sabine Pass potentially sending more rain toward Beaumont, while a path farther west could increase the flood risk in Houston. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Chambers County, the Bolivar Peninsula, and nearby coastal waters through Wednesday morning, with coastal areas potentially experiencing 40 to 50 mph wind gusts and stronger rain bands farther inland bringing gusts of 30 to 40 mph.