After a record-setting weekend, “fall” returns to Houston this week

Note: We’re kicking off our annual fundraiser today, in which you can buy t-shirts to support the site, or donate money if you like. This is strictly optional, but it helps keep the lights on here, and supports the efforts of Matt and me during extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey.

Houston experienced some very warm weather this weekend, both during the days and sticky nights, with the following records set or tied:

  • Saturday high temperature: Houston Hobby Airport, 88° (tying old record from 1988)
  • Sunday high temperature: Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, 88° (tying old record from 1963)
  • Sunday, high minimum temperature: Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, 74° (beats old record of 71° from 1922)
  • Sunday, high temperature: Hobby Airport, 90° (beats old record of 87° from 2005)
  • Sunday, high minimum temperature: Hobby Airport, 75° (beats old record of 71° from 2015)

Monday and Tuesday

We’re going to remain in this stagnant, muggy, and decidedly un-fall-like weather pattern for a couple of more days before a cold front finally breaks the region out of this funk. On Monday and Tuesday look for highs in the upper 80s for most of the region, with partly sunny skies. We should also continue to have warm nights before the front arrives.

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A (mostly) fine day for a parade in Houston

Let’s be honest, it could be cold, pouring, snowing, whatever and Houston would find a way to enjoy today. So whatever we have to say about the weather, it’s a fine day for a parade. Lots of other things going on this weekend too. Let’s hop to it.

Today

So, overall today shouldn’t be too bad. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with high temperatures in the middle 80s. We managed to hit 88° officially yesterday, which is the 9th hottest November day on record in Houston (the other 8 days we hit 89°). Last time it was this warm in November officially? One year ago. We hit 88° on November 2nd and 3rd of 2016. Hobby Airport hit 90° Thursday, tying their warmest November temperature on record (1934 and 1973 being the last years to see 90° at Hobby). Further north, Dallas hit 94° yesterday, breaking their previous all-time (back to the 1890s) hottest November day by *five* degrees. If you’re wondering if this is unusual for November, it is.

Anyway, with a pretty weak little disturbance passing through North Texas today, we will probably see a smattering of isolated showers this afternoon. I don’t expect them to be significant in coverage or intensity. If you’re headed to the Astros parade downtown, I wouldn’t necessarily expect rain, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it did rain for a few minutes.

Weekend

The weather pattern for the next several days looks pretty stable over Southeast Texas. This should yield a mix of sun and clouds both days. Don’t be shocked if clouds are prevalent in the morning, before breaking up in the afternoon. Also, morning fog, locally dense, is likely the next few days, so use caution if you’ll be out and about early in the day. Temperatures will top off in the middle 80s inland. I wouldn’t be shocked to see an 87°, 88°, or 89° show up though in a few spots on either day.

In Galveston for the Lone Star Rally? It looks just fine. Expect low 80s for highs both days. Morning lows will be in the mid-70s in Galveston.

Fine weather this weekend for the Lone Star Rally (NWS Houston)

Elsewhere, morning lows will be in the low 70s on average. We should typically be in the 50s right now.

Oh, and rain chances? They aren’t zero, but they are very, very low for most areas to the point that we wouldn’t even bother mentioning them. Go about your plans without much worry this weekend.

By the way, Houston’s other postseason team, the Dynamo play the Timbers out in Portland Sunday at 6:30 for a chance to advance to the Western Conference Championship. It looks like a typical early winter day in Portland for the match: Damp, though perhaps not raining too heavily, with temperatures in the 40s. So let’s keep the championship vibes flowing.

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51 inches. 5-1 victory. Houston Strong.

Congratulations to the Houston Astros, the 2017 World Series Champions. This was the team the city of Houston needed after Hurricane Harvey to help lift us up. And what was particularly poignant to me was the final score on Wednesday night, 5 to 1. Hurricane Harvey dropped 51 inches. It’s almost as if this victory was meant to be.

Thursday and Friday

Although Houston just won the Fall Classic, it’s not going to feel much like fall outside. Both Thursday and Friday will see high temperatures in the low to mid-80s, under partly to mostly cloudy skies, and very warm nights in the low 70s. A few stray showers are possible on Thursday and Friday, but they should not last too long, and accumulations should be slight.

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A few words on water filtration and plumbing

For thousands of Houston area residents, the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey remains a day-to-day grind as repairs continue on damaged homes. For others, memories of the storm are receding as fall finally descends upon Houston. As a reminder for those still recovering from the storm, our sponsor, Reliant, offers home repair services, backup generators and even home security. This month’s post about Reliant, however, will discuss the area of water filtration and plumbing.

Water Filtration

Water filtration service.

You drink water, bathe in it, and use it to wash your clothes and dishes. You deserve water that’s clean, safe and refreshing. Although the city of Houston, and other regional providers, offer safe, clean water there are additional options for further water purification. Reliant typically recommends and offers a whole home filtration with a salt-free water softening system.

Why consider this? These systems are eco-friendly, don’t waste water, don’t use electricity and don’t discharge anything into the environment. Water filtration systems can normally be installed in one day, either indoors or outdoors.

System options can include:

  • Water softening: part of a whole-home filtration system, water softening can extend the life of appliances, like your water heater or dish washer, by preventing scale, corrosion, excess chlorine and other harmful agents
  • Compact filtration systems: if whole-home filtration isn’t right for your residence, you can still enjoy clean, healthy drinking water with a compact system that filters water at the point-of-entry to the home
  • Advanced options: Water-heater shields, UV and reverse osmosis systems, salt- and maintenance-free

All water purification systems installed by Reliant are backed by manufacturer warranties and maintained by Reliant’s trained professional team.

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