National Weather Service issues Rio Grande Valley flood watch through Wednesday — Krgv-tv

krgv-tv reports the National Weather Service issued a flood watch Sunday for the entire Rio Grande Valley from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning. The watch covers the whole region as heavy rain is expected Monday, then more so Monday night into Tuesday.

Forecasters expect widespread rainfall of three to six inches over the next three days, with isolated amounts of eight inches or more possible. The Weather Prediction Center in Maryland placed the entire Valley except the eastern portion of the lower valley under a moderate risk, Level 3 of 4, of flash flooding for Monday and Monday night.

Weather Prediction Center forecast

The lower flash-flood risk in the eastern portion of the lower valley stands at Level 2 of 4. Everywhere else in the Valley is in the higher-risk category, where numerous flash floods are likely.

The split forecast leaves the eastern lower valley with some room to fare better than the rest of the region, but the watch still runs through Wednesday morning for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Residents in the affected area face the most intense rain window Monday night into Tuesday, when the heavier rain is expected to focus.

Rio Grande Valley rainfall totals

The practical concern for readers is the amount of rain expected in a short span: three to six inches across the Valley, with eight inches or more possible in isolated spots. That range is broad enough to put roads, low-lying neighborhoods, and drainage systems under pressure before the watch expires Wednesday morning.

For people across the Rio Grande Valley, the immediate next step is to watch the heavier rain Monday night into Tuesday and follow the forecast split between the eastern lower valley and the rest of the region. The watch remains in effect through Wednesday morning, with the highest flash-flood risk centered on the areas placed at Level 3 of 4.