The National Weather Service has declared a flash flood watch in effect through 7 p.m. Saturday. Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall are anticipated throughout the watch period. Widespread rainfall is forecast to total about 5-8 inches, with 9-12 inches falling in isolated areas through the weekend.

The Rice Crisis Management Team is watching the situation with an eye toward how weather developments could impact events surrounding commencement and convocation ceremonies as well as normal operations of the campus. The timing and intensity of the rainfall is difficult to predict, so we will monitor how the forecast changes overnight and release an update by 5 a.m. Friday. We will continue to watch the situation and make further decisions throughout the day Friday.

If rain forces Friday evening’s Undergraduate Convocation or Saturday morning’s Plenary Commencement ceremonies to move indoors, Rice will activate the inclement weather plan moving the ceremonies into Tudor Fieldhouse. Information on the plan can be found here on our website.