Heat advisory issued for Houston area as temps near 100 degrees

Good morning. Temperatures will be hot enough today that the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for now through 7pm CT. This means the hot temperatures and humidity will combine to create a heat index of up to 110 degrees later today. We can probably expect more of the same for the remainder of the week as high pressure influences the region’s weather through the weekend. Some relief should come next week.

Wednesday will be a very hot day in Houston. (Pivotal Weather)

Wednesday

High temperatures today will likely reach near 100 degrees for inland areas, with lower-to-mid 90s along the coast. Expect mostly sunny skies, although there will be a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms later this afternoon. Winds will be light, at 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest. Our trend of warm nights will continue, with many areas south of Interstate 10 not falling below 80 degrees tonight.

Thursday and Friday

With conditions more or less the same for the remainder of the work week, I’d anticipate the National Weather Service extending heat advisories for both of these days.

Saturday and Sunday

We don’t really anticipate much change this weekend, either, with only slight—roughly 20 percent—rain chances both days. Otherwise skies should be partly to mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 90s to possible 100 degrees for inland areas. Overnight lows will provide scant relief.

The rain accumulation forecast for now through the weekend is near zero. Chances improve after that. (Pivotal Weather)

Next week

Things may get a little more interesting next week as high pressure backs off some. Rain chances may increase by Monday or so, perhaps into the 30 to 40 percent range. And I’m not ready to fully buy into this yet, but the models bring a front into Texas and push it toward Houston on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The jury is out on how far the front will push into Houston, and whether it will make it all the way to the coast. Typically this does not happen in August, but if it does we’ll see some pleasantly drier air. We’re not going to get crazy here, but instead of nighttime temperatures of around 80 degrees, they may drop into the lower 70s in the city. We’ll see.

Announcing the first winner of Reliant’s 2020 AC Sweepstakes

We’re thrilled to announce that lifelong-Houstonian James Young has won a free AC System from Reliant. As you may recall, this is the second year of this promotion that Reliant has offered to readers of Space City Weather. James’ previous system was 20 years old, and let’s let him take it from here:

“A few weeks ago, my neighbor was searching for a new electricity provider. He asked me if I was pleased with my Reliant plan and I said, ‘Yes, I couldn’t be happier!’ Well, I was wrong! When I heard I was the winner of Reliant’s 2020 Summer AC Sweepstakes, I was happy beyond belief! I had a Ruud system that was over 20 years old.  Knowing that it was replaced with a new, Ruud high-efficient unit brings me great peace of mind. I send my sincerest thanks to Space City Weather, Ruud for their great products and Reliant for their great installation, reliable power and fantastic customer service. I’m looking forward to having the ‘coolest’ summer that I’ve had in a long time!”

James is the winner of Phase I of this sweepstakes. If you’ve already entered to win, you’re set for Phase II, which ends on September 15. But if you haven’t entered yet, there’s still time to do so by visiting here. Full contest rules are also available at the link.

High pressure to our west? For Houston, a humidity fest.

This is a pretty easy forecast for the region, and as there’s not much to say, we’re not going to say much. The prevailing pattern remains the same, with a ridge of high pressure anchored generally over the four corners region. For the next five or six days, this overall pattern does not change, with the ridge likely slowly moving north, and then a bit west. Houston lies on the eastern edge of this high, but we’ll feel enough of its influence to preclude all but isolated to scattered showers. In short, we’re going to see typical August weather for awhile.

Note the position of the high pressure system over southern New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona today. (Weather Bell)

Tuesday

Today will be mostly sunny, with highs in the low 90s near the coast, and upper 90s for inland areas. If you’re far enough west or north of Houston, highs may flirt with the 100s. Winds will remain very light, at about 5mph out of the south, providing no relief during the afternoon. Rain chances will be slight, at 10 to 20 percent for the region. Overnight lows will be warm and humid.

Wednesday and Thursday

More of the same.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The overall pattern does not change much, but as atmospheric moisture levels rise a bit, we may see slightly better rain chances in the mix. Forecast models also indicate this is when temperatures may reach their warmest—with the potential for 100-degree weather creeping southward into the Houston metro area—so expect plenty of heat and humidity to go along with any scattered showers.

By Sunday the high has moved to Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. (Weather Bell)

Next week

By next week the high should continue to move west, and this may open the door to a more disturbed atmosphere with better rain chances. This probably will begin around Tuesday or so, but we’re not making any guarantees.

Houston will experience Groundhog Day weather this week

Good morning and welcome to a new week. There remains little exciting to say about our region’s weather as this week will feel like Groundhog Day, with conditions each day more or less like the last. Sure, a few areas may see a stray shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon hours, but for the most of us, it will be hot and mostly sunny. The good news remains that, one does not really enjoy the weather during August in Houston—one survives it. And given that we are unlikely to face triple-digit heat or widespread floods over the next week, it is difficult to complain too much.

Highs on Monday will definitely feel like August in Texas. (Pivotal Weather)

Monday

Houston remains on the periphery of a high pressure system anchored to our west, and this should both prevent temperatures from getting too hot, while also allowing for a few sea breeze showers to develop during the afternoon hours and move inland. Look for high temperatures in the low 90s along the coast, with temperatures in the mid- or upper 90s for far inland areas. Light, southerly winds will offer little relief. Nor will nighttime temperatures. With lows of only 80 degrees last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Hobby Airport tied record for overnight heat and we should remain nearly as warm.

Tuesday and Wednesday

This will be a pair of mostly sunny days, with high temperatures in the mid-90s, along with more warm nights. Again we may see a few coastal showers develop during the afternoon, and progress inland.

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