I’m going to be real up front. The Houston-area forecast calls for more of the same very hot and sunny weather, with a lack of rain, through the middle of August. So at this point of the summer we’re grasping at straws. The one hopeful bit of news I can offer is that, on Tuesday, the Greater Houston region passed through the climatological midpoint of summer. Quite simply, this means that historically yesterday was the hottest day of the year.
That does not mean our weather is going to change right away, it really just means that we are headed in the right direction toward fall. We are about one month away from being able to realistically start looking for our first fall front. Typically this comes at some point during the second half of September, but this varies widely. Anyway, if you’re tired of the unrelenting heat, just know that it will eventually relent.
Over the last couple of days we have also been talking about increasing wildfire risk. In recognition of this, both Harris County and Fort Bend County issued burn bans on Tuesday. The burn ban, essentially, means that no outdoor burning is allowed, except in an enclosure that contains all flames and/or sparks. At this point all of the Houston region’s counties, with the exception of Brazoria County, are under a burn ban. Expect these to remain in place at least for a couple of weeks, if not longer.
Wednesday
Excessive heat remains the name of the game for the greater Houston area. High temperatures today will reach about 100 degrees in Houston, with slightly higher conditions for inland areas, and slightly cooler nearer the coast. The only really noticeable change has been somewhat stronger daytime winds, up to about 10 mph from the south, with higher gusts. Skies will, of course, be sunny, with a less than 10 percent chance of rain. It is the same as it has been since the start of August.
Thursday and Friday
More of the same.
Saturday and Sunday
With high pressure remaining in place, there really is little change. If anything, temperatures may tick up a degree or so this weekend. So, super hot.
Next week
The early part of next week should bring more of the same. Realistically, we don’t have much hope for a pattern change for at least the next 10 days. After that there are some hopeful signs in some of the models, in terms of potentially better rain chances and somewhat cooler days. However I have to be honest, the current pattern is pretty well locked into place.
The tropics
We have not written much about the Atlantic hurricane season because there has not been much to say, and certainly no threats to the Gulf of Mexico. That continues to be the case, but we’re reaching the point where we can start to expect some uptick in activity in the Atlantic basin. If you want all of the nitty gritty, daily details, be sure to check out our sister site, The Eyewall.
Thank you for continuing to offer some positive points for this very uncomfortable situation.
Speak for yourself, but I’ve been looking for a front to cool us down for the last 6 weeks or so. I know we won’t see it until the 2nd half of September, but I’m still going to look.
“‘Just put your little hand in mine.
There ain’t no hill or mountain,
we can’t climb. Babe.
I got you babe!
I got you babe!’
Ok campers rise and shine! And don’t forget your booties cause it’s COLD out there…”
Phil? Phil connors? I thought that was you.
So are we looking at our ridge of high pressure sitting here long enough to heat the Gulf thoroughly, only to lift just in time for our high season for Gulf hurricanes to form over that superheated water?
High pressures are not the only factors that warm sea temperatures Chris.
That happened in 2005 (Rita) & 2017 (Harvey)
The bit about how we have passed the midpoint of summer heat and so fall may come eventually is pretty pathetic. It’s almost as pathetic as me around July 29 when I told my wife: we have the first sign summer will eventually end, Deadhorse Alaska had sunset for the first time since May.
I don’t understand why NWS has to issue a heat advisory every single day. Constant notifications on my phone. Wish they could just issue a continuous one to last for the duration.
Even though it has, largely, been a persistence forecast, established protocol puts time frames for issuance/reissuance of advisories, watches, and warnings. At some point some subtleties may arise where a certain portion of the CWA will not fall under a heat advisory.
Remove the notifications if you are bothered
Any initial thoughts on what sort of autumn we’ll have, drier? Wetter? Warmer? Cooler? Than usual?
Depends how strong El Nino will be
I mean, I remember there being days in November in the 90s. I feel like this is just going to be this way forever (I am a native; I’ve also lived in Saudi Arabia and California and can attest to HOT). I fully now believe in “Flaming hot SAD.”
On most of my many trips to Saudi it was often 130 degrees, but nobody seemed to be bothered with it – except me.
I lived on the coast and it was not only 120 sometimes but also humid af. Not fun.
The hottest day ever in Houston was in September. This is just normal summer, all of my bills give the average temperature for this year and for the same time last year. They are exactly the same.
Well yeah, last year was one of the top 4 hottest summers. This year will also be a top 4 hottest summer. 2011, 2009, 2022, and 2023 are the hottest summers in Houston, since records began. Worse than 1980, worse than 1954, worse than 1998. It’s getting hotter than it used to be.
I’m starting to feel sorry for these guys – how many different ways can they find to say “same as yesterday, the week before that, and the month before that”? 🙂
How many days have we hot triple digits this year? How many consecutive? What are the records for both in Houston?
So far the city of Houston has had 18 100+ degree days this year and counting. The most 100 degree days in a year occurred in 2011, when Houston had 46 triple digit days. The most consecutive triple digit days is 24, which also occurs in 2011. Every day in August 2011 hit 100 degrees, except the 25th.
In 2011 Texas was also going through it’s worse drought since the infamous 7-year drought that struck the state in the 1950s.
I’m done with this. Started applying for jobs out of state. I hate the heat like a lot of transplants hate the winter. I’ve accepted this is only going to get worse with the climate changing and I refuse to spend the best years of my life locked up for 4-5 months in the summer when most of the northern hemisphere is enjoying the outdoors.
I know no one cares about my complaints, but this weather has me so frustrated and angry I have to vent sometimes.
Hot oppressive weather like this inflames the body, which in turn inflames thoughts & emotions. It’s not complaining to state how you feel. Weather like this can hurt.
It’ll pass soon, and you’re going to feel better soon, too 🌺
☺️
Friends here for the summer from Michigan say the weather there in the winter is brutal, like most if not all of the ‘rust belt’. Heat for 6-7 months or cold for 6-7 months, not much choice. I think if you want a more equitable climate you have to find somewhere overseas.
2023 is not the boss, but is promoted to capo.
Can someone please explain exactly why and how this ridge is so strong and locked in? For weather newbies like myself