West Texas, South Texas, and the Texas Gulf Coast Set for Rapid Weather Changes Overnight as Moisture Streams In From the Southwest and Gulf
UNITED STATES — What currently looks quiet on radar across much of Texas is expected to change noticeably by early Friday morning, as two separate moisture streams begin converging across the state. Radar imagery this evening shows light precipitation and increasing moisture over Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, while a developing moisture plume is also visible over the western Gulf of Mexico, aimed toward the Texas coastline.
Slow Start, But the Pattern Is Shifting
At first glance, conditions appear uneventful — a classic case of “watching paint dry” on radar. However, this is a transitional phase, and the setup is already underway.
- Southwest moisture is slowly advancing eastward from Arizona and New Mexico, edging toward West Texas
- Gulf moisture is organizing offshore near Corpus Christi and the lower Texas coast
- Winds aloft are beginning to align, allowing these moisture sources to spread inland overnight
Once lift increases, radar coverage is expected to expand quickly.
West Texas First in Line
The first noticeable changes are expected across West Texas, including areas near El Paso and the Trans-Pecos, where light returns are already visible upstream. As this moisture crosses into Texas overnight:
- Cloud cover will increase rapidly
- Patchy light rain or sprinkles may develop
- Conditions will turn noticeably different by sunrise
This is the opening phase of a broader state-wide transition.
Gulf Moisture Aims Inland
At the same time, low-level Gulf moisture is pooling offshore and beginning to lift northward. This setup favors:
- Expanding cloud cover along the Texas Gulf Coast
- Increasing chances for coastal showers
- Moisture spreading inland toward Houston, Corpus Christi, and eventually Central Texas
This Gulf feed will play a key role in determining how widespread precipitation becomes later Friday.
Why Tomorrow Morning Looks Different Across Texas
By early Friday:
- Texas will be positioned between two moisture sources
- Lift will be increasing as energy moves overhead
- Clouds will thicken from west to east and south to north
This combination often leads to rapid changes over a short time, even if radar looks unimpressive the night before.
What to Expect Going Forward
Residents across Texas should be prepared for:
- A grayer, more unsettled morning
- Increasing chances for light rain or showers
- Slower travel conditions, especially in western and coastal regions
The situation will evolve quickly once moisture fully arrives, and conditions Friday morning will look very different from what is seen this evening.
Waldron will continue monitoring radar trends and provide updates as moisture spreads and precipitation coverage becomes clearer overnight.