After storms passed on Saturday evening Houston enjoyed some really pleasant weather—temperatures in the mid-70s with lower humidity. For those of us on the south side of Houston some tremendous rainbows were also visible. I saw a faint double rainbow from my home, but via Twitter Erin Eldridge shared the following photo which offers a much better view of the whole rainbow.
Two clusters of thunderstorms developed this afternoon south of Houston—one near Sugar Land and the other Friendswood. These storms have produced isolated areas of 1 to 2 inches of rain and some reports of hail.
A larger area of storms associated with a boundary is moving from the northeast toward the Houston metro area. Some of the forecast models have indicated these storms will weaken as they approach Houston, but if anything they seem to be strengthening a little. If they hold together these storms will bring a good chance of rain to much of the area, especially east of downtown, beginning at around 7pm. Strong winds are also a threat.
After a couple of brutally hot days—96 and 97 degrees, respectively—we can expect more of the same today. The heat will break a bit later this weekend, however.
FRIDAY
High pressure will dominate again today, pushing highs into the upper 90s with mostly sunny skies. A heat advisory remains in effect due to the very warm weather.
SATURDAY
On Saturday temperatures will again be warm in the mid- to upper-90s, and the heat advisory remains in effect. However as high pressure retreats to the west, some slight rain chances are possible to the east of Interstate 45.
SATURDAY NIGHT through MONDAY
With high pressure weaker, and Houston open to the Gulf of Mexico, we’ll see some better rain chances beginning Saturday night and running into Sunday and possibly Monday. I don’t think we’re going to see any kind of significant flooding, but much of the area may well see one-half to as much as one inch of rain in total, and that will not be unwelcome to the area’s lawns and trees. Some brief, gusty winds are also possible.
Good morning. High pressure reigns so it’s going to be hot and sunny. The end.
OK, seriously, that is probably enough of a forecast to get you through the next three days. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Thursday, and it’s likely to remain in effect through Saturday as high temperatures remain in the mid-90s (we climbed to 96 degrees on Wednesday) with high humidity, pushing the heat index as high as 105 to 108 degrees. Not much more to say other than take care outside in these extremely warm conditions.
SUNDAY-TUESDAY
By Saturday night or so the high pressure driving our weather should retrograde back to the west as a very strong ridge builds over the southwestern United States. This should allow a more northeasterly flow of air into the greater Houston region, increasing cloud coverage and moderating temperatures a bit. Instead of highs in the mid- to upper-90s we’ll be in the low-90s, and overnight lows should be in the mid-70s.
