*Updated 2:25 p.m. Wednesday* On and off showers and thunderstorms have continued across the Brazos Valley today.  Tropical Depression Hermine continues to pull in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.  Lee, Milam and Robertson counties remain under a Flash Flood Watch, but with heavy downpours possible, flash flooding is possible across the Brazos Valley, especially in areas west of BCS.

As of 2:00 p.m.

With tropical systems like these, isolated tornadoes and funnel clouds are not out of the question.  Although the greatest threat for severe weather was yesterday, one cannot completely rule out rotation in some of these thunderstorms.  Funnel clouds that do form, if any, will likely be very brief and never touch the ground.

The worst flooding still remains to our North.  Highwater rescues have been required in the Dallas area, and Waco has received 8 inches of rain in the last two days.

Things should calm down starting tomorrow, but with a lot of moisture left over, we could still see a few showers and thunderstorms through Thursday.

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*Updated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday*  It took its time, but Hermine has weakened to a Tropical Depression.  Nevertheless, it's still dumping a LOT of rain across the Lone Star State today. 

Hermine brought record rainfall to the Brazos Valley, with 2.17 inches of rain falling at Easterwood Airport.  The old record was set in 1920 with 1.97 inches.  4-6 inches can be expected in Central Texas today, and Flood and Flash Flood Watches and Warnings extend as far North as Oklahoma and into Southeastern Kansas and Missouri.  That's in addition to the 8 inches that's already fallen in the last couple of days in Waco!

Here at home we're not done with the rain just yet.  More moisture continues to be pulled in from Hermine, and another 1-2 inches of rain are possible in some locations generally west of BCS.  A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Lee county, and Flash Flood Watches are in effect for several of our Western counties.  The rain should start to taper off later today, but there's still the possibility of a few showers popping up as late as tomorrow.

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*Updated 1:53 p.m. Tuesday*  Amazingly, Hermine has still managed to hang on to Tropical Storm status.  Wind speeds of 40 mph are still reported within this storm.  As it moves farther inland, the storm should slowly weaken, becoming a Tropical Depression this afternoon.

Note the strong rotation of Hermine even so far inland.

Where we stand.

This system has moved an incredibly moist airmass into the Brazos Valley.  Flash Flood Watches are in effect for most of the area, as is a Tornado Watch, since these tropical airmasses can result in several small funnel clouds, especially in the rain bands. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Montgomery, San Jacinto and Walker counties until 2:15 p.m.

The Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Milam, Montgomery, Waller and Washington counties. Heavy rains have already fallen in several locations across the Brazos Valley, with the highest totals to the west of BCS.

A Tornado Watch is still in effect for everyone in the Brazos Valley with the exception of Lee and Milam counties, but just because you're not under the watch doesn't mean severe weather won't affect you.

We've already seen a couple warnings issued today.  One for Waller county, and one in Brazos, including Bryan-College Station.  A tornado sighting was reported, but a touchdown has not been confirmed.  Usually with these tropical systems, many funnel clouds are reported and most never touch the ground and last for a very short time..

The activity here is slowing down, but light to moderate rainfall will occur throughout the day. 

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*Updated 10:02 a.m. Tuesday*  Hermine is still holding together, even though it has been deprived of the supply of warm, moist air from the Gulf.  Wind speeds remain at 40 mph, barely holding onto its Tropical Storm title. 

Hermine should become a Tropical Depression within the next three hours or so, but heavy rain will still continue for much of the area.  Flash Flood Watches remain in effect For Austin, Lee, Milam, Robertson, Waller and Washington counties.  There's also the possibility of severe weather today.  A Tornado Watch is in effect for Austin, Waller and Washington counties, and a Tornado Warning has already been issued for Waller county as well as a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Brazos and Burleson counties (including Bryan-College Station).

Highest rainfall totals should be expected in areas west of BCS. 

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*Updated 8:50 p.m. Monday*  Hermine has moved ashore.  The center of the storm passed over the Mexican coast about 40 miles South of Brownsville, TX.  Tropical Storm force winds will still be felt in South Texas tonight, and heavy rain will persist through tomorrow. 

Without access to warm water, the storm will quickly begin to weaken, likely to a Tropical Depression by tomorrow.  The largest threat from Hermine still remains.  Rainfall totals are still expected to range from 4-8 inches in South Texas, and we expect 1-3 inches in the Brazos Valley Tuesday.

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*Updated 5:00 p.m. Monday*  As it nears land, its unlikely that Tropical Storm Hermine will have time to strengthen into a hurricane before land begins to take its toll on the storm.  Nevertheless, the biggest threat from this system still remains: flooding from heavy rains.  Totals are expected to range from 4-8 inches in South Texas and Mexico, with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. 

As the storm progresses further North, it will pull a lot of moisture into the Lone Star State with it.  Isolated tornadoes will be possible not too far west of us, and Flash Flooding is a concern for many areas across the state, including here in the Brazos Valley.  1-3 inches still likely tomorrow, with some locations receiving 4 inches of rain or more on Tuesday.

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*Updated 1:30 p.m. Monday*  After less than 24 hours after becoming a Tropical Depression, Hermine is expected to strengthen, then make landfall near the Texas-Mexico border. 

What started out as a cluster of showers and thunderstorms in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico quickly became Tropical Storm Hermine, with winds of 60 mph.  That's not all.  The storm could possibly strengthen into a Category 1 Hurricane just before moving inland, wreaking havoc on an area that's already been soaked this season by Hurricane Alex and later Tropical Depression 2.

Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for coastal Mexico and parts of Texas south of Baffin Bay.  With the possibility of hurricane force winds, Hurricane Watches have been issued as well.  While strong winds are expected, just like with Alex that hit in June, the rain will be the most dangerous part of the storm.  4-8 inches of rain are possible in South Texas, with isolated amounts of 12 inches possible.

It's not unprecedented for a hurricane to form this quickly in this part of the Gulf.  In 2007, another September Tropical Depression became Hurricane Humberto in only 14 hours before making landfall near High Island, TX.

If Hermine strengthens into a hurricane, then makes landfall along the US coastline, it would be the first hurricane since Ike to hit the US directly.  (Alex's center made landfall south of the border and the eye of Earl remained just east of the Carolinas).

In the Brazos Valley, plenty of moisture has already been pushed inland and even more rain is on the way for Tuesday.  Anywhere from 1-3 inches of rain is likely across the Brazos Valley, and isolated totals of over 4 inches are possible.