Summer is coming—which means months and months of heat and humidity for our fair city. So this is a great time to announce that we’re bringing back an extremely popular promotion from last year. In 2019 Reliant gave away two complete AC systems entirely FREE. And we’re thrilled to announce that they’re doing it again! As a Space City Weather reader, you’re the first to know.
If you do not need to read any more, drop everything and click here to enter.
We’re really pleased to offer this promotion to readers again this year. It speaks to Reliant’s commitment to our vision of keeping the greater Houston area informed about weather in a reliable and sensible way. There is really no catch, and these systems are the whole enchilada. The two air conditioner systems are worth up to $11,000 each. (But really, can you put a price on cool air in August?)
(Reliant)
Here are the details of this year’s contest, which will take place over two phases from now through September:
Phase I winner chosen from May 12-July 15 entries
Phase II winner chosen from July 16-September 15 entries
One winner will be chosen, randomly, at the end of each phase
Once you enter, you’re entered for both phases of the contest
Winners must be 18, and own a home in the greater Houston metro area
Your AC system must be eight years or older
If you’re not eligible for the contest and know someone who could really benefit from a free, new AC system heading into the hottest time of the year, please share the contest link with them.
Complete details and the entry form are available at the contest page. Good luck to everyone and thanks to Reliant for helping us stay cool!
Good morning. Temperatures this morning have only fallen to around 70 degrees, markedly warmer than recent days. However, the ascent of our daytime temperatures will be slowed this week—we should stay comfortably in the 80s rather than going up to 90 degrees—by decent rain chances and the possibility of storms. A fairly potent upper-level low pressure system could bring heavy rainfall to the region this weekend, but unfortunately we’re lacking details for a more precise forecast.
High temperatures Tuesday should reach the mid-80s. (Pivotal Weather)
Tuesday
A line of storms just west of Interstate 35 this morning should steadily move west toward Houston today. The question is how much moisture they will have to work with as they move into our region. Rain chances this afternoon appear best to the west and northwest of Houston, in areas such as Sealy, College Station, and Brenham. But I think it’s definitely possible that some of these storms hold together as they move into the Houston area later this afternoon or during the evening. Briefly heavy rain and strong wind gusts will be possible. Rain chances for the region will be on the order of 20 to 30 percent. High temperatures should climb into the mid-80s under partly to mostly sunny skies.
Wednesday
Right now Wednesday appears to be similar in nature to Tuesday, although any afternoon storms that fire up will likely be less organized. Expect highs in the mid-80s, with partly to mostly sunny skies.
Good morning. It’s another cool start to the day—for May, at least—with lows dropping into the upper 50s for the northern half of the region. I hate to write this, but this is probably much of the region’s last flirtation with the 50s for at least four months. After this weekend’s sublime weather we’re not going to jump into full-blown summer this week, but we definitely will see humidity, warmer days, and warmer nights. In short, it will feel a lot like May.
Temperatures at sunrise on Monday were delightful. (Weather Bell)
Monday
As high pressure moves away from the region today, winds will shift to come from offshore, and this will begin the process of raising humidity levels and temperatures this week. Even so, Monday should still be quite a nice day, with highs limited to the low- to mid-80s and partly to mostly sunny skies. Rain chances are near zero. Winds should remain light as they come from the southeast. Clouds will build later this afternoon, or during the evening, making for a mostly cloudy night. Lows in the coastal area probably won’t drop below 70 degrees, but inland areas should see the 60s.
Tuesday
We should see a mix of clouds and sunshine on Tuesday, as high temperatures nudge up into the mid-80s. An atmospheric disturbance will traverse the area from west to east later on Tuesday, bringing a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. But mostly this should be a typical late-spring day with highs in the mid-80s, and lows dropping to around 70 degrees.
After a pair of pretty nice days across Southeast Texas, we’re waking up to a warm, humid, mostly gray one today. But that will change. For those of you looking for last hurrah of really comfortable weather before summer, soak up this weekend.
Today & tonight
The region has had some gusty onshore winds overnight. Galveston has seen some wind gusts close to 40 mph since 2 AM, while inland locations have seen 25 to 30 mph gusts at times. Winds should diminish a bit through the day today before picking back up from the offshore direction tonight.
As far as weather, we’ll call it cloudy this morning. We may see more sunshine break out by late morning or afternoon, and it will remain warm to hot and humid. While a few showers or sprinkles could occur this morning, most of us will probably stay dry. The cold front itself will approach the region this afternoon. Right now, we’re expecting a broken, disorganized line of showers and a couple storms to drop into the northern suburbs 1-2 PM this afternoon. The storms may become better organized and cover more territory as they move through Houston proper and south of I-10 toward the coast late this afternoon.
Here is how one model (the HRRR) forecasts rain chances through the day, ending at 8 PM. A “line” of showers moves through Houston after 2 PM, becoming slightly better organized and heavier south of I-10 and near the coast toward evening. (Weather Bell)
Temperatures should drop from the upper-80s or near 90° back into the 70s behind the showers.
Severe weather via strong wind gusts and hail can’t be entirely ruled out today, but that risk has diminished a bit, and we expect any severe storms would be very isolated and mainly south and east of Houston.
By about 8 PM, most of the storms should be out of the immediate Houston area, but some showers and storms may still be ongoing for places like Lake Jackson or Matagorda. The front will continue to slowly push offshore this evening. However, showers will likely linger into the overnight for those areas south of Houston and Galveston, particularly toward Matagorda, maybe Freeport. Otherwise, it will just be mostly cloudy and breezy overnight. And it will turn much cooler.
Overnight lows tonight should bottom in the lower 60s for many, 50s for some. It will feel much cooler Saturday morning, along with a breeze. (Pivotal Weather)
Overnight lows tonight will bottom out from the lower-60s in much of the area and south of I-10 to the upper-50s to the north. Along with that breeze, it will feel quite cool late tonight and Saturday morning.
Saturday
With a good deal of clouds around much of Saturday morning and an abnormally cold air mass for May dominating the eastern half of the U.S., we’ll likely limp into the mid-70s Saturday afternoon. Those temperatures would be a solid 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. More sun is likely as the day goes on, especially for folks north of I-10.
Along with cool temperatures, expect a pretty steady, gusty offshore breeze. Winds over Galveston Bay will probably peak around 20 to 25 mph or so.
Mother’s Day
Stunning. Sunshine, comfortable humidity, comfortable temperatures. Look for a morning in the 50s to near 60 degrees and an afternoon in the upper-70s to near 80°, along with light winds. Thanks to all the mothers out there for all that they do for the world, and an apology to my mom in New Jersey who will be waking up to 30s on Sunday morning.
