Month: April 2018

JJ Watt is right, Houston’s weather has been “phenomenal” lately

On Monday, I noted on Twitter that this is the nicest April in Houston I think I’ve ever experienced. Later, no less an authority than JJ Watt concurred.

He’s correct. This month the region has generally see a cold front every three to five days, which has kept humidity down, and temperatures slightly below normal—about two to four degrees for most of the area. We’ve also had enough rain to keep things green around the region, but not so much that precipitation has lingered for days at a time.

Departure from normal for temperatures in April. (NOAA)

Alas, all good things must come to an end. The outlook for this week remains spectacular, however it is possible that next week (it is not clear yet whether a strong front will push all the way through Houston) will begin a warming trend that heralds the oncoming of summer. Either way, enjoy the rest of this glorious April.

Tuesday and Wednesday

We’ll see a bit warmer conditions today, as a light onshore flow begins to return to the area. Highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will climb into the low 80s (possibly mid-80s on Wednesday), but skies should remain mostly sunny. By Wednesday night, a cool front will move through the area. This front will probably bring some scattered showers and thunderstorms into Houston after midnight, but nothing too extreme and I don’t think anyone will see more than a few tenths of an inch of rain. The front and storms should move offshore by sunrise on Thursday.

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Amazing spring weather this week, with a great weekend outlook

After an absolutely superb Sunday, Houston’s weather will remain more or less gorgeous for most of this week—giving us another healthy dose of spring with moderately warm days, and cooler nights, and ample sunshine. Below, we also take a look at weather for the IRONMAN and MS 150 events this weekend.

A beautiful spring morning across Texas on Monday morning. (Weather Bell)

Monday

You probably couldn’t script a much better weather day for Houston than today—with a chilly start and a cool, dry northerly flow throughout the day. Highs will be in the upper 70s with sunny skies. Winds will be light. Temperatures will be cool tonight, falling to around 60 degrees in the city. This will easily be one of the 10 best weather days of 2018. Easily.

Tuesday and Wednesday

These days will be warmer, but not unpleasantly so, with high temperatures in the low 80s and mostly sunny skies. It appears as though a cool front will push through the region on Wednesday, and Wednesday night, and this could lead to some overnight showers. Not everyone will see rain, and for those that do, rainfall amounts will probably only be measured in a few tenths of an inch of rain. Right now I don’t anticipate a whole lot, if any, thunderstorms—so hopefully you won’t be woken up by any storms.

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Showery Saturday, but sun by Sunday in Houston

We weren’t lying about this week having some stunning weather. Yesterday was about as close to perfect as you can script here in Houston. It’s certainly worth touting to our neighbors in the North, where winter has just not found a way to relent. Here, however, it’s been great. Through the first 19 days of April, we’re averaging 77.2° for a high and about 56.2° for a low. Compare that to the same period last April, when we averaged 81.4 for a high and 61.2° for a low. This month has been cooler and much more comfortable than April 2017. Can we keep the good times rolling? I think so, but it will get at least a little warmer as we go. First, let’s get through Saturday.

Today

We’re starting today with a good deal of clouds on the west side of the area, and more of a mixed sky on the east side. We’ll call today partly sunny, but it may be a case of more clouds than anything. With the clouds, temperatures are held down, and while we’ll call it lower 70s today, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a few places not get out of the middle to upper 60s if clouds hang in all day.

Tonight through Sunday

Clouds continue tonight. A warm front will approach our region from the south. As it does so, we’ll probably see at least a few showers break out or a bit of light rain and drizzle. The best chance for that to happen will be south and west of Houston. Low temperatures won’t go too far tonight and should bottom out in the lower 60s.

No change in the severe weather outlook for Saturday staying on the low end of things. (NOAA/SPC)

On Saturday, expect showers or light rain at times. It’s probably not a total washout, but Saturday’s not going to be a great day. Then, as a disturbance ahead of our next cold front approaches, we’ll see a chance of thunderstorms begin to increase later in the afternoon and evening.

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Amazing weather ahead for Houston—except for Saturday

A weak cool front passed through Houston this morning, and it will bring a very pleasant end to the work week. We’re still looking at mixed conditions on Saturday, however, followed by a pretty nice second half to the weekend.

Thursday and Friday

The front will knock temperatures down by a few degrees, and will bring some drier air into the region. For Thursday, we can expect a cloudy start to the morning, with clearing skies during the afternoon hours. Friday should be partly to mostly sunny, too. Both days will see highs in the low- to mid-70s. Expect lows Thursday night to be in the 50s for most of Houston except for the coast, and Friday night to be a bit warmer.

Friday will start clear and cool for Houston. (Pivotal Weather)

Saturday

I’ve had a ton of questions about weather conditions on Saturday—it sounds like a lot of you are planning outdoor weddings this weekend. I’d love to have a concrete answer for you, but we’re in a situation where there are some ingredients for rain showers and storms, but it’s not clear whether they’re going to line up. For example, there will be some moisture to work with, but will it coincide with the best atmospheric lift? And when the front sweeps through, will the atmosphere be unstable enough for strong thunderstorms to form?

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