Runoff from heavy rain in January 2012 at Tonkawa Falls in Crawford. (Photo courtesy of KD Jones)
(January 8, 2013)—A flash flood watch is in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday for parts of Central Texas as a slow-moving storm system moves out of northern Mexico and spreads across the state.
Average rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are possible and higher amounts are possible in isolated areas.
The prolonged rainfall will produce heavy runoff, which could lead to flooding of creeks, small streams, normally dry creek beds, areas with poor drainage and some low water crossings, forecasters said.
The watch area includes Bell, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, Navarro, Leon, Milam and Robertson Counties in Central Texas.
Isolated thunderstorms are also possible overnight and Wednesday, generally southeast of a line from Temple to Athens.
They could produce strong gusty winds and small hail.
Rain chances are near 100 percent overnight and Wednesday, but should taper off Wednesday night.
Lows overnight will be in the lower 50s and afternoon highs Wednesday should be in the lower 60s.
In anticipation of heavy runoff in the Brazos River Basin, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Executive Director Zak Covar signed an order that allows junior water rights holders to divert or impound water temporarily if water-flow measurements reach certain levels.
Some junior water-right holders were ordered in November to stop diverting or impounding water because of the drought that continues to grip the state.
Meanwhile a winter storm warning is in effect for the Davis Mountains and the Marfa Plateau from midnight until Wednesday night and a winter weather advisory is in effect for the Guadalupe Mountains.
Widespread accumulations of 2 to 6 inches of snow are possible with amounts as high as 6 to 8 inches in isolated areas.
Snow could also fall from Wednesday night into Thursday morning in parts of the Texas Panhandle.
Accumulating snowfall is possible along and west of a line from Texline to Amarillo to Canyon.
