David Paul's latest forecast

HOUSTON -- Tornado watches were in effect for several Houston-area counties Wednesday as the fringes of Hurricane Dolly began to blow through the area.

Brazoria, Calhoun, Jackson, Matagorda and Wharton Counties were all under tornado watch until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The day started off with a round of thunderstorms in the Houston metro area, too.

11 News Meteorologist David Paul said wind gusts with those storms clocked in at 44 mph on the coast, which is over tropical storm force.

He said Houstonians can expect more of the same as the day goes on.

“Inland we’ll see wind gusts to 30 and rain off and on,” Paul said.

Paul said some spots of Southeast Texas could see rain totals of 3-5 inches.

“More rain is forming offshore and it is coming in, so it’s going to be a wet, windy day,” Paul said.

But that’s not necessarily bad news.

“We could use some rain. As you know, we’ve been under a severe drought south of I-10 and down 59, down toward Victoria,” Paul said.

All the rain should keep temps a little lower than they have been lately, with a high of 88 forecast for both Wednesday and Thursday.