Month: August 2016

If our days are getting shorter, why is it so damn hot out?

August is almost always Houston’s hottest month. It has a normal high temperature of 94.5 degrees, compared to 93.7 degrees for July, and 91.4 degrees for June. And typically, the region experiences its warmest day of the year this week, or next, according to data from the National Weather Service.

The week when different parts of the United States typically experience their warmest day of the year. (NOAA)
When different parts of the United States typically experience their warmest day of the year. (NOAA)

 

Looking across the country there’s an incredible spread of “warmest” dates, from early June (Southwestern United States) all the way to the end of September (West coast). But for most of Texas they come during the month of August. What’s interesting is that this is when our days are starting to get shorter.

Houston had its longest day in 2016 back on June 20, the summer solstice. The official sunrise was 6:21am that day, and sunset occurred at 8:25pm, making for nearly a 14 hour, 4 minute day. Next week, when Houston normally receives its “warmest day” of the year, there will be about 1 hour of sunlight less. (For example, on August 15, sunrise is at 6:50am, and sunset at 8:02pm).

A comparison between June 20 (top) and August 15 day lengths. (timeanddate.com)
A comparison between June 20 (top) and August 15 day lengths. (timeanddate.com)

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The heat is on for Houston—maybe a bit of relief by Friday

Good morning. The heat is on this week with Monday’s temperature rising to 98 degrees, and more of the same on the way. We might finally begin to see a bit of relief this weekend.

Today through Thursday

We’re going to be pretty much under the influence of high pressure this week, which will make our days very hot—likely in the upper 90s—with mostly sunny skies and high humidity. While I’m not going to entirely rule out a stray shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon hours, they’re unlikely where you live.

The upside of this weather, for Texas’ sake, is that the near-tropical storm strength Invest 97L, presently sought of Jamaica, is very likely to remain on a westerly track around the high.

Model guidance for Invest 97L continues to keep the storm well south of Texas. (Weather Bell)
Model guidance for Invest 97L continues to keep the storm well south of Texas. (Weather Bell)

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August’s site sponsor: Bellaire Dermatology

A new month means a new sponsor for Space City Weather, and I’m pleased to announce that Bellaire Dermatology has agreed to support this site for the entire month of August.

(Bellaire Dermatology)

Thanks to their generous support we can provide all of our weather content for free, and without advertisement, for the entire month of August. The advantage of the sponsorship model is that we are under no pressure to generate web traffic for the sake of web traffic—so there’s no hype, no click bait and no nonsense—even though we’re in the midst of hurricane season.

If you appreciate that, please consider Bellaire Dermatology for all your skin care needs.

Welcome to August, the dead of summer in Houston.

Long-time Houston residents will know the month to really fear, in terms of heat, humidity, and drought—not to mention very strong hurricanes—is August. I’ll have more later this week on why August is this region’s hottest month, but for now just know that it is. August is a month to be survived in Houston, as we await the beginning of fall in late September. And this week will be a typical August in Houston.

Today

Upper-level high pressure will begin building over Houston today, but there’s a chance we may squeeze a few showers under the pressure later this afternoon when the sea breeze lights up. I don’t think coverage will be that great, and I expect showers that do develop to be short lived. Highs will be in the mid- to upper-90s.

Tuesday and Wednesday

With high pressure dominating we’ll see mostly sunny days with highs in the upper 90s. Some inland areas may flirt with 100 degrees. Lows in the upper 70s.

Texas will lie under a ridge of high pressure this week, which will heat us up. (Weather Bell)
Texas will lie under a ridge of high pressure this week, which will heat us up. (Weather Bell)

(Space City weather thanks Bellaire Dermatology, our sponsor for August.)

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