HispanicBusiness

Showers and thunderstorms are possible in the Houston region on the Labor Day weekend as moist air flows inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Once a hurricane, Isaac has been downgraded to a tropical depression but the system continues to dump rain as it moves further inland, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters said the storm, packing sustained winds of 25 mph, was near Fort Smith, Ark. early Friday morning and was moving north/northwest at about 12 mph. The system likely later will move into central and eastern Missouri, dumping between about 2- and 4-inches of rain, forecasters added.

In the Houston region, some of the storm's rain may drift into the far eastern part of the area Friday, but the chances are very slim, said Josh Lichter, a metrologist with the weather service. Lichter said better chances of rain are possible on the weekend, especially on Saturday, from weather patterns unrelated to Isaac. Humidity levels will climb and the heat index will be in the triple digits for at least a few days.

On Friday, a 20 percent chance of showers is possible. The high will be near 96 degrees under mostly sunny skies. The heat index, or how hot the air feels when temperature and humidity combine, could be as high as 106. The overnight low will be about 78.

The weekend has a good chance for rainfall, Lichter said. A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms are possible Saturday as moisture flows inland from the Gulf. Lichter said the best rain chances may be along the coast in the morning and will probably spread inland by the afternoon.

"I think a good part of the area will get rain," Lichter said.

The high will be 93 degrees. The heat index will be about 103. South winds will be between 5 mph and 10 mph. The overnight low will be near 78.

Rain chances diminish slightly to about 30 percent on Sunday. The high will be near 94. The overnight low will be about 78. Light south winds will increase in the morning to between about 5 mph and 10 mph.

Monday, Labor Day, is likely to be sunny and dry. The high will near 95. The low will be about 77. No rain is forecast.

Forecasters are keeping a wary eye on Tropical Storm Leslie. The storm is located east of the Antilles and early computer models show the system curving north and remaining in the Atlantic, forecasters said. It has sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving north/northwest at about 16 mph.