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.
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.
Good morning. The ongoing weather forecast remains more or less the same, with hot, but not too hot weather, and the potential for isolated to scattered rain showers most days. This is basically what August is like when there is no dominant ridge of high pressure overhead, or a low pressure system moving in from the Gulf of Mexico.
Thursday
Skies today will be mostly sunny, allowing highs to rise into the mid-90s. As high pressure strengthens in the region we don’t anticipate much in the way of rainfall, although it is possible a few stray showers may develop east of the city. Winds will be light, out of the southeast at 5 or 10 mph later today. Low temperatures will fall into the mid-70s for inland areas tonight, while remaining near 80 degrees along the coast.
It will be August-hot for most of Texas on Thursday. (Pivotal Weather)
Friday
With the ridge firmly in control, we anticipate this being a hot and sunny day with highs in the mid-90s and almost no chance of rain.
Saturday and Sunday
The forecast for the weekend again calls for partly to mostly sunny skies, with highs in the mid-90s. However, slightly better rain chances enter the forecast due to a slight atmospheric disturbance that may push across the region. For most this probably won’t have too much effect, but it will nudge rain chances each day up to about 30 percent. They are most likely to develop during the afternoon hours.
On Wednesday, the longest-running seasonal forecast program, based at Colorado State University, issued an updated outlook for the remainder of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. In a word, it’s going to be active. The forecasters are predicting a remarkable 15 more named storms this year, along with 10 additional hurricanes. This is very busy.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs through November 30, but for Texas’ purposes the chances of a hurricane strike fall dramatically after September. So realistically, we’ve got about eight weeks in front of us that we’re really going to have to stay on top of the tropics in the greater Houston area.
Updated forecast from the Colorado State University for 2020 Atlantic season.
One of the biggest issues complicating this year’s hurricane season is that, in addition to the overall tropical activity, it will occur against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus remains quite active in the greater Houston area, as well as statewide. So with this post Matt and I wanted to provide some basic information about preparing for hurricanes in such an environment. We reached out to both city and county officials for up-to-date information.
Probably the most important thing about preparing for this season is taking the time now to think about how the pandemic will change your plans with regard to your family, any pets, any loved ones in harms way, and more. With hurricanes we sometimes have days and days of warnings, and sometimes we have 48 hours or less with a late-developing storm, or one making a quick turn. Preparing a disaster kit (see checklist), having a plan to protect key records, knowing your home’s vulnerability to storm surge flooding (see map), and under what circumstances you should evacuate are all things that can be done well in advance of a storm.
“It’s vital that everyone in our community take time and effort to prepare, regardless of the circumstances of the time or what the predictions are,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told Space City Weather. “As we’re all seeing, hurricane season doesn’t give us the courtesy of taking a year off just because we’re coping with a pandemic. Now, more than ever, we implore everyone to develop a plan, to put together an emergency kit, and to build a kit. As you prepare for this hurricane season, take some time to look over your family’s emergency plan and see how COVID-19 may affect it.”
Preparing to evacuate
In recognition of this hurricane season as an abnormal one during a pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a guide on COVID-19 and hurricanes. Here are some of the highlights from this information:
If you may need to evacuate, prepare a “go kit” with personal items you cannot do without during an emergency. Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, bar or liquid soap, disinfectant wipes (if available) and two masks for each person.
Determine now where you will evacuate to. How will you get there? This detailed map of evacuation routes (it’s a big file) will help you plan now.
If you are staying with friends and family, talk now about how you would best protect yourselves from COVID-19. If you plan on staying in a hotel, check now to see if they’re open, and can accommodate your needs.
Pay attention to local guidance about updated plans for evacuations and shelters, including shelters for your pets.
