LOCATION · United States
Houston Weather Radar & Live Satellite Map
How heavy is the rain over Houston right now?
Houston's weather is dominated by the warm Gulf of Mexico just to the south — a near-endless moisture source that fuels heavy downpours, severe storms and dangerous flooding. The combination of flat terrain and intense rainfall makes watching radar motion especially important here.
Open the live map over Houston and switch on Precip Radar and Cloud Imagery.
What to watch over Southeast Texas
- Flash flooding — the city's defining hazard. A slow-moving or "training" line of storms over the same area is the danger sign; watch for bright red cells that stall rather than move through.
- Spring severe weather — clashing air masses bring thunderstorms, hail and the occasional tornado, mainly March to May.
- Tropical systems — hurricanes and tropical storms can stall over the region and unload feet of rain. Track them on the Atlantic hurricane hub.
Reading the map for Houston
Storms often approach from the west, northwest or south, with tropical moisture surging up from the Gulf. The thing to judge isn't just where the rain is, but whether it's moving — stationary heavy rain is what floods Houston. Press play on the time bar to see.
The bigger picture
Pair radar with satellite imagery to see whether a downpour is an isolated cell or the leading edge of a much larger system feeding off the Gulf.
Open the live map over Houston to track current conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Houston flood so easily?
Houston is flat, low-lying and close to the warm Gulf of Mexico, which feeds storms enormous amounts of moisture. Slow-moving systems can dump extreme rainfall over the same area for hours, overwhelming the city's drainage. Radar intensity and storm motion together are the key things to watch.
When is Houston's storm season?
Severe thunderstorms are common in spring, the Gulf keeps humidity and downpours high through summer, and hurricane season runs June through November. Tropical systems are Houston's highest-impact threat for flooding.
SEE IT LIVE
Everything in this guide is on one real-time map.