Heavy Storms, Flood Risk for Texas; Light CA Showers

A slow-moving storm system is forecast to bring heavy rain and multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms across the Southern Plains and much of Texas — including North Texas, Central Texas, the Austin area and the Hill Country — and parts of Oklahoma late Friday into Saturday. The heaviest rain is expected overnight Friday into early Saturday, with most areas likely to see 1–3 inches and isolated totals of 3–5 inches; a flood watch is in effect for large parts of North Texas and central Oklahoma. Primary threats include damaging straight-line winds, isolated large hail, a low chance of spin-up tornadoes, and flash flooding in urban areas, low-lying locations and at low-water crossings; authorities warn drivers not to attempt crossing flooded roadways or bypass barricades. Separately, a weak low-pressure system will bring light showers and a small risk of dry lightning to parts of Southern California, though rainfall there is expected to be minimal.