One last, sunny, spring-like day before a wet weekend in Houston

Our last really cool morning of the week—of the spring?—has brought a range of temperatures from the mid-40s up north in Montgomery County down to around 60 degrees right along the coast. The air is pleasant, dry, and cool. Alas, it will not last, with a warming trend heading into the weekend, and then the likelihood of showers for both Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures shortly before sunrise Thursday morning. (Pivotal Weather)

Thursday

Today will be mostly sunny, with high temperatures warming into the mid-70s. However, as light winds slide from the northeast to the southeast, we should see a slow and gradual rise in humidity heading into the evening. This should also begin to generate a few clouds later this afternoon, and more over night. Lows tonight should be about 10 degrees warmer than Wednesday night.

Friday

Skies should be mostly cloudy on Friday, with high temperatures pushing up to around 80 degrees, or a little warmer. Some light rain showers will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours as a weak front limps toward the region, and dies out over the city. Lows Friday night will vary widely across the region. It’s likely that College Station will see lows drop into the 50s, behind the front, whereas central and southern parts of Houston are in the 60s or possibly even low 70s.

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Houston likely seeing last lows in the 40s for six months

Most of the region has dropped into the 40s this morning—so far Bush Intercontinental Airport has fallen to 46. We’re still well off record lows (38 degrees, officially, for Houston) but these temperatures are still a good 10 to 15 degrees below normal. I feel reasonably confident in predicting that Houston will not see temperatures this cold again for six months. However, we will have one more nearly as cold night tonight, so with summer in mind, please do enjoy it.

Wednesday

If you liked Tuesday, Wednesday should be similar after a reinforcing front moved through. Highs likely will reach about 70 degrees with winds subsiding to 5 to 10 mph this afternoon out of the north. Low temperatures tonight will probably drop down to within a couple of degrees of Tuesday night’s lows, with clear skies and light winds.

Thursday morning’s low temperatures will be cool again for Houston. (Pivotal Weather)

Thursday

Another very pleasant spring day for the region. However, as high pressure shifts to the east, winds will swing around to return from the Gulf, and there will be a slight uptick in humidity during the afternoon hours. Highs Thursday will probably reach the mid- to upper 70s under sunny skies, with overnight lows in the 60s.

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Amazing weather this week, with lots of questions about the weekend

Low temperatures this morning are running a good 10 degrees below normal for mid-April, with the mid-40s far to the north of Houston, around 50 in the city, and mid-50s along the coast. This cooler weather will last for a few more days before a warmer pattern begins to emerge by Thursday.

Tuesday

Houston remains under the influence of high pressure over much of the United States, allowing for a cool, northerly flow to dominate our weather. As a result we can expect mostly sunny skies, with a March-like high of 70 degrees. Winds will be fairly light, out of the north at about 10 mph. With a secondary front pushing through during the overnight hours, Tuesday night and Wednesday morning likely will be the coldest of the week—perhaps the coldest night for the rest of spring. Lows probably will reach the upper 40s for most of the area.

Low temperature forecast for Wednesday morning. (Pivotal Weather)

Wednesday

Another stellar stay, with mostly sunny skies and light winds out of the north. With highs of around 70 degrees, this, too, may be the last “cool” day for quite a while in Houston. We should have one more really chilly night, with low temperatures dropping down to nearly 50 on Thursday morning.

Thursday

Winds turn southeasterly on Thursday, beginning the process of a warmer, more humid onshore flow. This should still be a pretty nice spring-like day, however, with highs in the upper 70s under sunny skies. Lows Thursday night will be warmer, dropping only into the 60s.

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After Easter’s odd weather, Houston will enjoy a lovely spring week

Easter Sunday was a rather interesting weather day in Houston that illustrated a couple of different phenomena. The first part of the day was rather humid, with a strong line of storms that passed well to the north of Houston, eventually dragging a front into Houston. Temperatures just before the front passed were in the upper 70s, with dewpoints right behind in the low 70s, making for muggy weather indeed. Then the front pushed through, causing three things to happen.

Dewpoints fell and temperatures spiked on Sunday. (NOAA)

Winds surged out of the west, gusting well into the 30s for most of the area, and the 40s along the coast. This brought in a rapid influx of much drier air. Dewpoints plunged into the 40s. This drier air, in concert with the sun, helped temperatures spike into the low 90s for much of Houston—both Bush Intercontinental (92 degrees) and Hobby Airport (93 degrees) broke records. And then that same dry air allowed temperatures to fall into the 50s this morning. Now we’ll enjoy several days of splendid spring weather.

Monday

Although winds died down overnight, they will pick up again some today, although gusts are unlikely to rise much above 20 mph. We can otherwise expect sunny conditions on Monday with highs of around 70 degrees. It’s going to be quite nice! Lows Monday night will drop into the upper 40s for areas well inland, while remaining in the upper 50s along the coast.

Tuesday morning’s forecast low temperatures. (Pivotal Weather)

Tuesday and Wednesday

A second front will push through later on Tuesday, and this should keep our dry air, mostly sunny skies, and cool air in place. Expect highs in the low 70s, and lows in the 50s—cooler inland and warmer near the coast. At this point, Wednesday morning may be the coolest of the week.

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