Houston weather forecast, radar: Storms with threat for isolated tornadoes, hail, damaging winds

HOUSTON - Thursday is a FOX 26 Storm Alert Day with a severe weather threat moving into the Houston area and Southeast Texas.

A strong storm system will bring the threat for a few tornadoes, large hail, heavy rain and damaging winds.

Make sure to download our FOX 26 Weather App and turn the alerts on to keep track of the severe weather threat! Click here.

Light rain and drizzle spread across the Houston area on Thursday morning, but scattered heavy downpours and some severe storms are expected to build heading into the afternoon.

SUGGESTED: Houston agencies prepare for severe weather risk

The NOAA Storm Prediction Center updated their severe outlook before 11 a.m., decreasing the probability for severe storms around Houston. Most of the Houston-area was lowered from a Category 3 "enhanced" risk to a Category 2 "slight" risk.

However, strong to severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall with potential minor flooding remain possible. Heavy rain is expected for Galveston and Brazoria counties for the rest of the day.

SUGGESTED: Texas Governor Abbott directs emergency resources ahead of potential thunderstorms

We have a marginal risk for excessive rain that could lead to some street flooding. 1-2" of rain is expected with Thursday's system.

Rounds of storms will continue through Thursday evening with the severe threat expected to shift east by Thursday night.

The front helping to create the stormy weather should stall off the coast Thursday night and then move back onshore Friday keeping rain chances in the forecast leading into the weekend.

Tornado watch vs. warning & what to do

If a tornado watch or warning is issued, here are the steps you should take.

TORNADO WATCH

A tornado watch is when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states. Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur.

You should be prepared for an actual tornado during a tornado watch. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued, or you suspect a tornado is approaching. 

 TORNADO WARNING

A tornado warning is when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. During a tornado warning, there is imminent danger to life and property. You should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building (no mobile homes) and avoid windows. 

Warnings are issued by local weather offices. Warnings typically cover a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by the radar.