Eric Berger

100-degree temperatures possible in South Texas today

It sure doesn’t feel too much like summer out there this morning, with lows in the upper 50s, but just you wait my friends.

TODAY

As discussed in detail yesterday the region will see a large amount of warm air moving into the region from the south-southwest, and this could allow us to reach or even break the all-time record high for today of 88 degrees, set in 2008. Temperatures are more likely to be quite a bit higher further inland, and especially to the southwest, than along the coast, which will still feel the Gulf’s influence today.

Anyway, expect abnormally warm temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s later today with partly to mostly sunny skies. Pretty amazing beach weather for this time of year if you’re on Spring Break. Lows tonight will only go down into the low 60s.

Highs of 100 degrees are possible in the Valley today, as seen in this GFS model forecast of highs. (Weather Bell)
Highs of 100 degrees are possible in the Valley today, as seen in this GFS model forecast of highs. (Weather Bell)

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Not only is winter gone, summer comes this week!

Some of you have lamented the early demise of winter this year—Houston hasn’t had a low temperature below 47 degrees this month—and I don’t have any better news this week. Temperatures are going to warm up into the upper 80s on Monday and Tuesday, possibly reaching 90 degrees on Monday in some locations. Here’s a quick discussion of why:

An area of low pressure over Nebraska will direct winds over Texas to flow from the southwest later on Sunday and through Monday. In the chart below winds (blue hues depict a stronger flow) are shown about 3,000 feet above the surface of the Earth.

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Winds and air pressures at the 900 mb level on Monday evening. (Weather Bell)

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Excellent site news!

As most of you know this site has experienced some server stability issues during the last couple of months. That’s due primarily to my poor choice of a hosting service, and general lack of webmastering abilities. It’s definitely not acceptable, especially with the spring storm season on the horizon, and hurricane season coming along in just a few months.

Fortunately an old friend has stepped in to help, Jeff Balke of Two Roads Media. I’ve known Jeff for 15 years now. We met way back when the Houston Rockets were in the midst of their second campaign to secure funding for a new arena, I was covering the story, and Jeff had founded Save Our Rockets. Well, the Rockets got their arena, but we’re still waiting on that third championship, Jeff!

In any case Jeff helped me find a much better hosting service and we’ve moved the entire site over there. From here on out there should be no server stability issues, and he’s agreed to ensure that’s the case. Seeing that he’s also a weather nerd he may make contributions to this site from time to time, especially during hurricane season.

Houston escapes major flooding, but Sabine River facing historic rises

As expected the rains have moved out of the greater Houston region, and the heaviest storms are now over central Louisiana. Although a flood warning is in effect for Cypress Creek today in Harris County, only minor flooding is expected for portions of Sharp Road and Katy Hockley, which will may become inundated and possibly impassable later today or tonight.

The story is different to our east. Take a look at the total rainfall received in the Texas-Arkansas-Louisiana area during the last 48 hours. Note the very large area of 12 to 15 inches of rainfall in the Barney-colored purples.

Rainfall accumulation during the last 48 hours. (National Weather Service/Weather Bell)
Rainfall accumulation during the last 48 hours. (National Weather Service/Weather Bell)

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