Hottest yet to come for Houston, as Texas roasts

Thursday was the hottest day yet in this heat wave that is scorching much of Texas. It was also Houston’s hottest day since June 5th. We hit 98° officially at Bush Airport (96° at Hobby).

Across Texas, it was quite a day. Here’s a rundown of the noteworthy temperatures and records set:

  • Energy demand across Texas was the strongest it has ever been, with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT establishing another record, breaking the previous one just set on Wednesday.
  • Houston‘s low of 80° tied a record warm minimum temperature for July 19th.
  • College Station hit 100° yesterday for the first time in 2018.
  • Dallas, Waco, and San Angelo set record high temperatures for July 19th of 108° on Thursday, breaking records from 1925, 1951, and 2011 respectively.
  • Incredibly, Lubbock, TX didn’t drop below 81° yesterday for the first time on record, their warmest low temperature for any date by two degrees. Records in Lubbock date to 1911.
  • Midland, El Paso, and Amarillo each hit 105° for a high yesterday, tying records for Midland and El Paso for the date and setting a new record for Amarillo, which had been 102° last set in 1936.
  • Austin hit 104° and San Antonio hit 99°, neither of which were records.
  • Across the border, Shreveport, LA hit 104° yesterday, tying a record for Thursday last set way back in 1875.

The heat hasn’t even peaked yet, certainly not for Houston, so expect more impressive numbers and records to come. Let’s run through the forecast.

Friday & weekend

All three days look similar from a pure weather standpoint: It will be sunny and hot into Sunday. Please use caution if outdoors. Yes, we’re used to hot weather, but what’s coming this weekend is the next level of heat for our area that we see maybe once or twice per summer.

Some heat safety tips. Limit your time outdoors, don’t forget to check the backseat of your car, and please don’t forget about pets. (NWS)

It cannot be emphasized enough, especially after news of yesterday’s tragic death of a 3-year old left in a day care bus in northwest Houston, but always double check your vehicle before locking it and walking away.

In terms of just how hot, I would say we hit 98-100° officially today, followed by about 99-101° Saturday, and 101-103° Sunday. While Houston has been on the periphery of the strong upper level ridge of high pressure that has caused this heat, it will advance toward us in a big way this weekend, giving us a taste of what North Texas has been experiencing. How generous.

Official NWS forecast high temperatures over the next few days have lots of 100s showing up. (NWS)

We get very little relief at night during this kind of heat, so expect low temperatures to get just below 80° in most places and not much better than that.

Monday & Tuesday

I wish I had better news today, but as bad as the weekend is, it looks like this could be the peak of the heat for Houston, especially Monday. Expect around 100° or the lower 100s for highs both days, with lows again around 80° or so. Again, Monday will likely be the hotter day. Rain chances still look nil through Tuesday.

Wednesday & beyond

Some possibly good news: The upper level ridge delivering the heat moves from being centered over West Texas and New Mexico on Monday to the Arizona/New Mexico border on Wednesday. At the same time, it appears some sort of upper level disturbance is going to crawl its way along the Gulf Coast. What does this mean? It means we should see high temperatures ease back into the more typical mid-to-upper-90s by Wednesday or Thursday. It also means we should at least have a few showers and storms in the area by Thursday. At least for now. I will say, this has trended a little hotter and drier since yesterday however. So consider next week’s forecast still a bit in flux.

A personal note

Friday’s with Matt here at Space City Weather will be taking a few weeks off. My wife and I expect to soon welcome our first child into the world, and I’ll be trying to step away from weather and forecasting for a bit, so long as the Gulf and tropics stay subdued. Thanks to Eric for covering me during this time!

40 thoughts on “Hottest yet to come for Houston, as Texas roasts”

  2. Congratulations to you and your wife, Matt! Hoping for dull, predictable weather the rest of the summer so you can support and enjoy your family without thinking about anything else!

  7. How delightful! Best wishes to you both and the newest Lanza. Thank you for all you do, Matt.

  10. Step away from all this for as long as possible, Matt! Your wife and you will only get this extraspecial time as a family once with this little one! Congratulations, best wishes and smooth delivery for your wife and child. Thanks for all you do for us, the readers.

  11. Congratulations to the best thing in life (parenthood that is, for you probably closely followed by weather)

    🙂

  13. Congratulations to your family!! And for the love, bring home a big bag of Sonic ice for your wife – it’s got to be so hard to be pregnant this summer!

  18. Congratulations to the growing Lanza family! High pressure system settling into your home.

  20. How lovely, Matt. Enjoy your family time and welcoming the little one home. Eric,thanks for being here for us during this time…especially at this time of year, we all count on you guys for accurate,intelligent information! Many thanks to you both.

  23. Congrats and blessings on your new arrival. Many thanks to you and Eric for giving the Houston area the most concise and accurate weather forecasts.

  24. Congratulations Matt! Thanks for all you do and enjoy this time with your growing family! You’re in for the Mose amazing adventure!

  25. Congrats to you guys. Stay cool. Hopefully this high moves out sometime in the not too distant future

  32. Congratulations, Matt! Prepare for a decades-long high, punctuated by brief squalls, storms, and tornadoes that will seem immaterial when viewed in retrospect, however big they are at the time.

    And if its a girl, would you consider Evacuate Katy?

    E. Katy Lanza sounds pretty professional….

    Mark

    • Thank you! I think that’s a splendid name choice! 🙂 I’ll run it by my wife, and then probably be sleeping on the couch.

      • So true, Supermor. A simple question for Angry Electric Customer: Can you explain why, about 1000 years ago, Vikings were able to grow food crops on Greenland when today that island is a sheet of ice? This activity proven by valid scientific research. I don’t think said Vikings had any SUVs or coal-fired power plants.

  36. Congrats Matt! Our little one is just 4 months old now and every day is great (even with the crying and diapers). Enjoy every second!

  37. Yay! Congratulations, Matt!! Good luck to you both as you welcome your wonderful addition 🙂

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