In brief: This week will bring plenty of sunshine and wind as the region veers through spring. Highs most days will be in the range of 75 to 80 degrees, with some particularly nice weather expected on Thursday. The first half of the weekend looks sunny, but we could see some clouds by Sunday to go along with some slight rain chances.

Spring-time winds
The wind we experience at the surface is due to air moving from high pressure to low pressure, and the bigger the difference, the greater the breeze. During the summer in Houston, we often talk about the sea breeze. This is because the air over land heats up faster than water during the daytime, lowering the air pressure at the surface. (Warm air rises). Since the air pressure is lower at the surface over Houston, air moves in from the Gulf.
The winds we experienced on Saturday, as a cold front moved in, were different. They were moving from north to south, following the influx of a low pressure system (front) at the surface. The more rapid the pressure change, the stronger the wind. This is what we mean by a “tight” pressure gradient. I bring all of this up because we’re going to see several “tight” gradients this week that will lead to winds whipsawing back and forth across the area.
Monday

Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous day in Houston, certainly a top-10 day of the year. Monday will be similar, although not quite as nice (in my opinion, of course). Highs today will reach about 80 degrees with plenty of sunshine, but this will be marred by southerly winds of about 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph this afternoon.
If you’re heading out to the Houston rodeo this evening, or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day elsewhere, we have no weather concerns aside from the breeze. Temperatures this evening will be in the lower 70s, with clear skies. Lows will be in the upper 60s after the show, and with the warmer southerly flow we probably will only drop to around 60 degrees in Houston overnight. Some inland locations will be cooler.
Tuesday
This should be another mostly sunny day, with high temperatures near 80 degrees. But as the pressure gradient tightens, we’ll see some fairly strong southerly winds at 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 or possibly even 35 mph. This southerly flow will bring humidity back into the region, and give us a warm night in the 60s with increasing cloud cover.

Wednesday
High temperatures on Wednesday should reach around 80 degrees, or even a bit higher in Houston. This is because a cold front is likely to pass through the area during the late morning hours, bringing in drier air (which heats up more efficiently). Expect northwesterly winds during the afternoon, gusting up to 20 or 25 mph. Lows on Wednesday night will be around 50 degrees.
Thursday
At this point, Thursday looks to bring exceptional weather back into the forecast, with highs in the 70s, sunny skies, and light winds.
Friday
By Friday we’ll probably see offshore winds kicking back up, so expect a breezy day in the 70s with rising dewpoints.
Saturday, Sunday, and beyond
What does the weekend hold? Saturday should be mostly sunny, with highs of around 80 degrees. With a southerly flow in place expect a warm night, with lows in the 60s. As for Sunday, I’m a little less certain. We should see more clouds, highs around 80 degrees, and with increasing moisture there’s a possibility of some showers. (We could use some rain, but this isn’t going to do much to address drying soils I’m afraid). It’s likely that a weak front pushes into the area on Sunday night or Monday, but I’m not confident in the details.

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”
― Lewis Grizzard
The hot Houston summer is still weeks away, I personally am going to listen to the “morning yawn” and enjoy it.
This one is for you Glenn:
“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” – F. Ruskin
“Springtime is the land
Awakening. The March winds
Are the morning yawn.”
– Lewis Gizzard Japanese haiku-style
Even though SCW explained in scientific detail why it will be so windy, people in the comments will still ask why it’s so windy 🤪
Yea, I wonder why that is??
Don’t worry. We’ll get rain again in the fall, maybe
Happy 🍀 Everyone
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too!
What was with the haze around noon Saturday? Was noticeable even looking across the street. Too soon for fires in Mexico, and the wind was northerly.
Hold over question from last week. Why is it called “Spring Break” if it happens in the winter? When I was a kid (admittedly just after the Earth’s crust cooled), Spring Break was typically the week before or after Easter. With Easter late this season, that would have meant April 14-17, with Good Friday off anyway.