Eric Berger

AC giveaway from Reliant returns!

Summer is coming—which means months and months of heat and humidity for our fair city. So this is a great time to announce that we’re bringing back an extremely popular promotion from last year. In 2019 Reliant gave away two complete AC systems entirely FREE. And we’re thrilled to announce that they’re doing it again! As a Space City Weather reader, you’re the first to know.

If you do not need to read any more, drop everything and click here to enter.

We’re really pleased to offer this promotion to readers again this year. It speaks to Reliant’s commitment to our vision of keeping the greater Houston area informed about weather in a reliable and sensible way. There is really no catch, and these systems are the whole enchilada. The two air conditioner systems are worth up to $11,000 each. (But really, can you put a price on cool air in August?)

(Reliant)

Here are the details of this year’s contest, which will take place over two phases from now through September:

  • Phase I winner chosen from May 12-July 15 entries
  • Phase II winner chosen from July 16-September 15 entries
  • One winner will be chosen, randomly, at the end of each phase
  • Once you enter, you’re entered for both phases of the contest
  • Winners must be 18, and own a home in the greater Houston metro area
  • Your AC system must be eight years or older

If you’re not eligible for the contest and know someone who could really benefit from a free, new AC system heading into the hottest time of the year, please share the contest link with them.

Complete details and the entry form are available at the contest page. Good luck to everyone and thanks to Reliant for helping us stay cool!

Scattered storms possible today, a wet weekend likely on tap

Good morning. Temperatures this morning have only fallen to around 70 degrees, markedly warmer than recent days. However, the ascent of our daytime temperatures will be slowed this week—we should stay comfortably in the 80s rather than going up to 90 degrees—by decent rain chances and the possibility of storms. A fairly potent upper-level low pressure system could bring heavy rainfall to the region this weekend, but unfortunately we’re lacking details for a more precise forecast.

High temperatures Tuesday should reach the mid-80s. (Pivotal Weather)

Tuesday

A line of storms just west of Interstate 35 this morning should steadily move west toward Houston today. The question is how much moisture they will have to work with as they move into our region. Rain chances this afternoon appear best to the west and northwest of Houston, in areas such as Sealy, College Station, and Brenham. But I think it’s definitely possible that some of these storms hold together as they move into the Houston area later this afternoon or during the evening. Briefly heavy rain and strong wind gusts will be possible. Rain chances for the region will be on the order of 20 to 30 percent. High temperatures should climb into the mid-80s under partly to mostly sunny skies.

Wednesday

Right now Wednesday appears to be similar in nature to Tuesday, although any afternoon storms that fire up will likely be less organized. Expect highs in the mid-80s, with partly to mostly sunny skies.

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We now return you to your regularly scheduled May programming

Good morning. It’s another cool start to the day—for May, at least—with lows dropping into the upper 50s for the northern half of the region. I hate to write this, but this is probably much of the region’s last flirtation with the 50s for at least four months. After this weekend’s sublime weather we’re not going to jump into full-blown summer this week, but we definitely will see humidity, warmer days, and warmer nights. In short, it will feel a lot like May.

Temperatures at sunrise on Monday were delightful. (Weather Bell)

Monday

As high pressure moves away from the region today, winds will shift to come from offshore, and this will begin the process of raising humidity levels and temperatures this week. Even so, Monday should still be quite a nice day, with highs limited to the low- to mid-80s and partly to mostly sunny skies. Rain chances are near zero. Winds should remain light as they come from the southeast. Clouds will build later this afternoon, or during the evening, making for a mostly cloudy night. Lows in the coastal area probably won’t drop below 70 degrees, but inland areas should see the 60s.

Tuesday

We should see a mix of clouds and sunshine on Tuesday, as high temperatures nudge up into the mid-80s. An atmospheric disturbance will traverse the area from west to east later on Tuesday, bringing a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. But mostly this should be a typical late-spring day with highs in the mid-80s, and lows dropping to around 70 degrees.

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A stormy Friday will lead to stunning Mother’s Day for Houston

Good morning. After a wonderful Wednesday we will see one more sunny day before a potentially stormy Friday. The inclement weather on Friday should lead to a spectacular spring weekend for May, with sunshine and highs possibly in the 70s for both days and abundant dry air. If you missed our weekly Weather Wednesday video yesterday, you can find it on YouTube.

Thursday

After starting out with temperatures in the mid-60s this morning, the script for today calls for highs to warm into the low- to mid-80s. Winds will shift to come from the south later today, and may become a bit gusty, up to about 20mph. Clouds will begin to return later this afternoon, or during the overnight hours, and this combined with returning moisture will keep low temperatures from dropping below the low 70s for the metro area.

NOAA rain accumulation forecast for now through Saturday. (Pivotal Weather)

Friday

Our increasingly warm weather will be shaken up on Friday by the arrival of a cold front that should push through Houston from the northwest to southeast during the afternoon and evening hours. Right now it appears this will start out as a thin, broken line of showers that may intensify as it moves toward the coast. Once the front hits the sea breeze, some stronger thunderstorms may flare up in central and southern parts of the region. There is a slight risk for severe weather in the form of hail and damaging winds.

Another facet of this front is that it is going to move fairly rapidly until it doesn’t. This means that at some point, probably near or just off the coast, it’s going to stall for a bit. Right now we think that probably allows showers to linger for a bit during the overnight hours on Friday along the coast.

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