Houston could experience flash flooding through Memorial Day, forecasters say.

Why it matters: Your long weekend plans might be a wash.

Threat level: The latest National Weather Service forecast indicates the flood risk is highest tomorrow for Houston and much of Southeast Texas but lasts through at least Monday.

• Repeated rounds of rainfall at the same location could inundate drainage systems and lead to street flooding, forecasters say. Some rivers and bayous could also experience minor flooding.

Driving the news: The ground is saturated from the rain we've had so far this week, making it difficult to absorb any additional rainfall, NWS Houston meteorologist Andy McNeel tells Axios.

What they're saying: "That raises a little bit of a natural risk for some potential flash flooding in flood-prone areas," McNeel says, adding much of the area could see 4 to 6 inches of rain by Monday.

• "We'll just need to keep an eye on ... where those locally heavier bands take shape," he says.

Between the lines: Space City Weather's flood threat indicator is at Stage 2 of 5 this weekend, indicating some streets and highways might briefly flood.

Zoom out: Despite this weekend's heavy rain forecast, Houston and much of Texas are forecast to see below-average rainfall this summer.

The bottom line: Forecasters advise monitoring weather conditions and having multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

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This year's Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be below average in storm activity for the first time in more than a decade, NOAA meteorologists said yesterday in their annual forecast.

Why it matters: Residents should still take the season seriously and prepare now, officials stressed.

• "It's very important to understand that it only takes one," NOAA administrator Neil Jacobs told reporters.

The big picture: This year will likely see eight to 14 named storms and three to six hurricanes, one to three of which will be Category 3 or higher, Jacobs told reporters.

• That's in line with Colorado State University's forecast, which also called for below-normal activity.

How it works: The main driver behind the forecast is a high likelihood of El Niño conditions, Jacobs said.

• El Niño occurs when water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual.
• Those conditions can lead to high-altitude winds over the Atlantic that make it harder for hurricanes to form.

Context: Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1, but storms can form any time.

• NHC began its daily tropical outlook May 15, and so far, all has been quiet in the Gulf, Caribbean and Atlantic.

What we're watching: NOAA officials previewed several technological advances they said would help local emergency officials better prepare for impacts on the ground.

• That includes the agency's Flood Inundation Mapping tool, which provides street-level visualizations of flood waters in near real time.

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We asked readers yesterday to identify what this popular attraction was from the 1940s.

The big picture: The aerial photo depicts the Texas Drive-In, also called the South Main Drive-In, which was Houston's first movie drive-in. It opened in June 1940.

The intrigue: One reader — Matt W. — correctly guessed the intersection, which is Main Street/U.S. 90 near Holmes Road.

Catch up quick: The area is now mostly unrecognizable after decades of redevelopment and the theater's closure during the nationwide decline of drive-ins.

Yes, but: Brochsteins — visible southeast of the theater in the 1944 aerial image — is still standing in 2026.

• Houston brothers Isaac and Sam Brochstein opened shop in 1935 to design high-end furniture for banks and other businesses. During World War II, they shifted to making parts for the B-24 Liberator bomber.

State of play: Brochsteins now specializes in architectural millwork, designing and building custom wood interiors for commercial buildings.

• Its portfolio includes work on prominent buildings and offices across the Bayou City.

The bottom line: Houston's first drive-in theater disappeared long ago, but Brochsteins remains part of the city's industrial landscape.

🍎 Houston ISD employees could see a pay increase next year, but it's meant to offset more costly health insurance premiums. (Houston Public Media)

💥 A federal prosecutor in Houston was charged with failure to stop and render aid after a hit-and-run crash left another driver injured on Memorial Drive this month.

• An attorney for Jennifer Lowery, 58, says the incident was an "unfortunate accident" and contends she did not intend to break the law. (Houston Chronicle)

🛒 H-E-B is under contract to purchase a parcel of land in the East End, hinting that the grocer could soon build a store in one of Houston's food deserts. (Houston Business Journal)

Start digging through your junk drawer for old Bed Bath & Beyond coupons — the home goods store is making a comeback.

Why it matters: The Container Store, with which it is merging, is perceived as pricey, but Bed Bath & Beyond plans to bring lower price points that it hopes will bring in more customers.

Catch up quick: Bed Bath & Beyond closed its stores in 2023 but continued selling products online.

• The company acquired Kirkland's Home and is now in the process of merging with North Texas-based The Container Store, which filed for bankruptcy in 2024.

Driving the news: The Container Store's locations nationwide are being rebranded as The Container Store x Bed Bath & Beyond stores and will soon start selling items from both brands.

• That includes Greater Houston's four locations in the Galleria, Clear Lake, Willowbrook and The Woodlands.

What's next: The beyond. The company is exploring offering mortgage, title and brokerage services.

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