If you live well inland, you can just feel the effects of Tuesday’s front this morning. Low temperatures in places like Conroe, Crockett, and Cleveland all fell into the upper 60s, with most of the rest of Houston reaching the low- to mid-70s. Humidity levels remain quite high this morning, but the temperatures certainly are a welcome change from the super-warm mornings we experienced this weekend. Thursday morning should be similar, in terms of temperature, so enjoy this while it lasts. Otherwise, we’re going to be very warm for awhile.
High temperatures on Wednesday will be in the upper 90s for most of Texas. (Pivotal Weather)
Wednesday
Some areas southwest of Houston—Colorado, Wharton, Jackson, and Brazoria counties—are seeing dense fog this morning. It should burn off a little later this morning. Elsewhere, after the slightly cooler start, clear skies should allow high temperatures to reach into the upper 90s. Winds will be light, and out of the northwest, with rain chances near nil.
Houston has experienced another very warm morning, with lows generally in the lower 80s. The all-time record “high minimum” temperature for the region is 83 degrees—set several times in 1980 and 2010—and the mercury at Bush Intercontinental Airport will only fall 1 or 2 degrees below that today. Part of the reason for these warm, pre-sunrise temperatures is a broken cloud layer. This should also help to moderate temperatures slightly later today.
Tuesday
The clouds are harbingers of a weak front sliding down through the area, and which should move off the coast later today or this evening. Increased clouds today should lead to slightly cooler temperatures, with highs generally in the mid-90s.
Highs on Tuesday, although hot, will be more moderate than on Monday in Texas. (Pivotal Weather)
Later this afternoon a few isolated to scattered showers are possible closer to the coast, south of Interstate 10 and southwest of Houston. If you get rain, count yourself as lucky.
Houston’s temperature hit 100 degrees for the first time in a year on Sunday, reaching 100 exactly at Bush Intercontinental Airport. However, of more note have been the “low” temperatures overnight, which on the last four nights have only fallen to 80 degrees. This has set or tied a “high minimum temperature” record for each of the last four days. This only adds additional stress to the region’s ecosystem—not to mention people who live without air conditioning—on top of the already high daytime temperatures. Fortunately we only have one more extremely hot day before the heat breaks slightly.
Daily temperatures in August at Bush Intercontinental Airport. (National Weather Service)
Monday
A heat advisory remains in effect for today, until 9pm, as high pressure will lead again to mostly sunny skies and high temperatures of about 100 degrees across the region. By now, you know the drill, as today will be a lot like Saturday and Sunday. Areas to the northwest of Houston, including the Bryan-College Station region, are under an “excessive heat warning” because high temperatures could reach into 105-degree range for some areas.
Thursday was the hottest day yet in this heat wave that is scorching much of Texas. It was also Houston’s hottest day since June 5th. We hit 98° officially at Bush Airport (96° at Hobby).
Across Texas, it was quite a day. Here’s a rundown of the noteworthy temperatures and records set:
Energy demand across Texas was the strongest it has ever been, with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOTestablishing another record, breaking the previous one just set on Wednesday.
Houston‘s low of 80° tied a record warm minimum temperature for July 19th.
College Station hit 100° yesterday for the first time in 2018.
Dallas, Waco, and San Angelo set record high temperatures for July 19th of 108° on Thursday, breaking records from 1925, 1951, and 2011 respectively.
Incredibly, Lubbock, TX didn’t drop below 81° yesterday for the first time on record, their warmest low temperature for any date by two degrees. Records in Lubbock date to 1911.
Midland, El Paso, and Amarillo each hit 105° for a high yesterday, tying records for Midland and El Paso for the date and setting a new record for Amarillo, which had been 102° last set in 1936.
Austin hit 104° and San Antonio hit 99°, neither of which were records.
Across the border, Shreveport, LA hit 104° yesterday, tying a record for Thursday last set way back in 1875.
The heat hasn’t even peaked yet, certainly not for Houston, so expect more impressive numbers and records to come. Let’s run through the forecast.
Friday & weekend
All three days look similar from a pure weather standpoint: It will be sunny and hot into Sunday. Please use caution if outdoors. Yes, we’re used to hot weather, but what’s coming this weekend is the next level of heat for our area that we see maybe once or twice per summer.
Some heat safety tips. Limit your time outdoors, don’t forget to check the backseat of your car, and please don’t forget about pets. (NWS)
In terms of just how hot, I would say we hit 98-100° officially today, followed by about 99-101° Saturday, and 101-103° Sunday. While Houston has been on the periphery of the strong upper level ridge of high pressure that has caused this heat, it will advance toward us in a big way this weekend, giving us a taste of what North Texas has been experiencing. How generous.
Official NWS forecast high temperatures over the next few days have lots of 100s showing up. (NWS)
We get very little relief at night during this kind of heat, so expect low temperatures to get just below 80° in most places and not much better than that.
