A cool front finally shows up on Houston’s horizon

Houston’s forecast remains largely unchanged. As with some previous mornings, calm winds and cooler grounds will lead to the development of some radiation fog this morning and likely through the weekend. A front remains several days off.

Today and Friday

With high pressure off to the west and easterly winds, we’ll continue to see warm but not unpleasant days with highs in the mid 80s, and nighttime temperatures in the 60s (down near 60 degrees north of Houston, and upper 60s along the coast). Skies will remain mostly sunny.

Saturday and Sunday

High pressure moves closer to the Houston region, so we may see temperatures tick up a degree or two, but I’d still anticipate highs in the mid-80s for the most part with lows in the 60s.

Halloween

We’ll start to see more moisture moving into the Houston area on Monday, and this could lead to the development of a few scattered showers later during the day. I wouldn’t worry about anything too disruptive for trick-or-treating, however. Highs, again, in the mid-80s. Temperatures during the trick-or-treating hour will likely be in the mid- to upper-70s.

Ten-day forecast from the GFS model. (Weather Bell)
Ten-day forecast from the GFS model. (Weather Bell)

See full post

Houston’s forecast is neither trick nor treat, just boring

Well, if you like consistency, this forecast is for you. And if you want to see some truly fall-like weather, it is not. For the remainder of October, and at least the first few days of November, Houston will continue to see temperatures 2 to 5 degrees above normal.

Wednesday through Sunday

A stagnant pattern has settled over Houston, with high pressure to the west of the region, and easterly winds. This will lead to mostly sunny days, rain chances near zero and warmish temperatures for late October.

It's not just Houston. With high pressure over the western United States temperatures in some areas may be 25 degrees or more warmer than normal. (Weather Bell)
It’s not just Houston. With high pressure over the western United States temperatures in some areas may be 25 degrees or more warmer than normal. (Weather Bell)

See full post

Houston nearing a drought again, little relief in sight

With very little (ok, none) rain in the forecast let’s discuss for a moment the possibility of a drought returning to the greater Houston area.

A drought returns?

Harris County hasn’t been in a “moderate” or worse drought since August, 2015. However, last week most of the region fell into the “abnormally dry” category, which is just one step below a drought in the catalog kept by the US Drought Monitor.

(US Drought Monitor)
(US Drought Monitor)

We are starting to see other indications of almost-drought like conditions crop up across the state after a dry late summer and early fall. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, 57 Texas counties now have burn bans, including Waller, Austin and Wharton counties just to the west of the Houston metro area.

Texas counties with burn bans. (Texas A&M Forest Service)
Texas counties with burn bans. (Texas A&M Forest Service)

See full post

Goldilocks weather ahead for Houston, but no real rain or fronts

After a great, fall-like weekend Houston will slide back into a warmer—although not oppressively so—weather pattern this week.

Today

A small atmospheric disturbance will move from the I-35 corridor in Texas eastward through Houston later today. Were the atmosphere not so dry we might see some widespread showers, but as it is, while a few stray showers may pop up for the most part we’re going to see some clouds.

With that said, moisture levels will rise today after last week’s cool front, and humidity levels will continue to deepen after a spectacular weekend. Expect high temperatures in the low 80s, with lows in the mid-60s.

Tuesday through Friday

For the rest of the week our weather really should be quite boring. High pressure will settle into the region and should bring us partly to mostly sunny skies. We’ll have what I’m going to call Goldilocks weather, which means not too hot, not too cold, with some humidity. Highs will be in the 80s, with low 80s closer to the coast, and upper 80s for far western parts of the region; and lows in the lower 60s for far inland areas to around 70 degrees right along the coast.

Here's your rain accumulation forecast for now through next weekend. (Weather Bell)
Here’s your rain accumulation forecast for now through next weekend. (Weather Bell)

See full post