Cooler weather returns and a (very) early Thanksgiving outlook

After more record warmth on Tuesday—Hobby Airport set a record high of 89 degrees, breaking an old mark of 87 degrees—a cold front finally pushed through the region during the late evening hours. Fall, finally, has returned to Houston for awhile.

Wednesday

Today will be cool, with highs in the low- to mid-60s, with increasing rain chances this afternoon and evening. An upper-level disturbance will track from west to east across Texas today, and this should bring some decent rain chances to us, especially for areas north of Interstate 10. Overall, accumulations still look pretty slight for Houston, with most areas getting a tenth or two of an inch of rain, but the leaden skies will add to what will be a winter-like, gray day for Houston.

Rain accumulation forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. (NOAA)

Thursday and Friday

These days still look like the pick of the litter for the region, with partly to mostly sunny skies, and highs in the upper 60s to 70 degrees. Overnight lows should range from the upper 40s for inland areas to upper 50s closer to the coast. Just splendid fall weather.

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Less than a day before a strong cold front reaches Houston

Houston continued to set record high temperatures on Monday—a mark of 89 degrees at both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports broke records at each location by a degree. Fortunately, this abnormally warm weather for November will finally come to an end later today, or tonight.

Today

We’ll have one more day with temperatures in the upper-80s across the region before a cold front pushes into Houston. As of 6:45am CT, the front was draped across Central Texas, and slowly pushing to the southeast. Temperatures (and especially dewpoints, which denote drier air) are considerably cooler behind it.

Cold front location at 6:45am CT on Tuesday. (National Weather Service)

The front is moving a bit faster than expected, so it should arrive in the Houston area later this evening, and push off the coast by midnight, or shortly thereafter. Before then, we’ll be partly to mostly cloudy, and unseasonably warm. Afterwards, cold.

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After a record-setting weekend, “fall” returns to Houston this week

Note: We’re kicking off our annual fundraiser today, in which you can buy t-shirts to support the site, or donate money if you like. This is strictly optional, but it helps keep the lights on here, and supports the efforts of Matt and me during extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey.

Houston experienced some very warm weather this weekend, both during the days and sticky nights, with the following records set or tied:

  • Saturday high temperature: Houston Hobby Airport, 88° (tying old record from 1988)
  • Sunday high temperature: Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, 88° (tying old record from 1963)
  • Sunday, high minimum temperature: Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, 74° (beats old record of 71° from 1922)
  • Sunday, high temperature: Hobby Airport, 90° (beats old record of 87° from 2005)
  • Sunday, high minimum temperature: Hobby Airport, 75° (beats old record of 71° from 2015)

Monday and Tuesday

We’re going to remain in this stagnant, muggy, and decidedly un-fall-like weather pattern for a couple of more days before a cold front finally breaks the region out of this funk. On Monday and Tuesday look for highs in the upper 80s for most of the region, with partly sunny skies. We should also continue to have warm nights before the front arrives.

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51 inches. 5-1 victory. Houston Strong.

Congratulations to the Houston Astros, the 2017 World Series Champions. This was the team the city of Houston needed after Hurricane Harvey to help lift us up. And what was particularly poignant to me was the final score on Wednesday night, 5 to 1. Hurricane Harvey dropped 51 inches. It’s almost as if this victory was meant to be.

Thursday and Friday

Although Houston just won the Fall Classic, it’s not going to feel much like fall outside. Both Thursday and Friday will see high temperatures in the low to mid-80s, under partly to mostly cloudy skies, and very warm nights in the low 70s. A few stray showers are possible on Thursday and Friday, but they should not last too long, and accumulations should be slight.

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