Drought-helping rainfall: Gulf Coast downpours

Waves of heavy rain and thunderstorms will sweep across Texas and the Gulf Coast over the next several days, increasing the chance of localized flash flooding.

A stationary front has settled east-west from Texas into the Gulf Coast. This is separating a spring chill to the north from warm and humid air streaming northward from the Gulf. This interaction will produce heavy rain and thunderstorms over the next several days.

Several inches of rain will be likely from the heaviest downpours, and with recent rainfall, localized flooding in urban areas is possible. Cities that could be impacted include Austin, Waco and Houston, Texas, along with Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La., and Biloxi, Miss.

There is a silver lining from the spring deluge. Much of eastern Texas and the central Gulf Coast are locked in extreme drought conditions. This rainfall will definitely make a dent in the drought conditions.

Use the WeatherRadar to track the storm development.