Don't Be Alarmed, Central & South Texans...

...that strange substance falling from the sky this morning is just rain.  I know it's been 45 or more days in some cases since we've last seen it, so I can understand your concern.

The above radar image taken a moment ago from the New Braunfels, TX radar shows that the activity is not widespread at the moment, but that should change later today as a strong disturbance lifts across the region from the West (indicated by the red and black "blob" over central Texas on the upper left panel of the image below).

The above image is the GFS Model forecast for 6pm CST this evening and if it verifies, rain should be widespread across much of the central & eastern two-thirds of Texas by mid-afternoon, into this evening.  (Before that time, rain will be sporadic and widely scattered).  A few rumbles of thunder will even be possible this afternoon or evening as the main part of the disturbance moves overhead.

Below is the latest forecast of total rainfall from the HPC for today:

You can see that a fairly widespread area of 1 inch (plus) rains is forecast from portions of the middle Texas coast into the northcentral part of the state.

Santa and the reindeer may not view this type of weather as most desirable for sleigh operations this evening, however it is much needed rain indeed for a very dry part of the country.