The heat continues, unabated. Through Tuesday the region’s average temperature is 88.2 degrees, which keeps Houston on track for the warmest July in the city’s history (87.5 degrees in 1980). We might see a bit of relief this weekend, but then we go back into the fryer.
Today through Friday
Our heat should persist at these near record levels during the rest of the work week, with highs in the mid- to upper-90s. However I believe overnight lows may drop a degree or two back into the upper 70s for most areas. Also, as we are not under a dominating ridge of high pressure some afternoon showers are possible, although I don’t think coverage will be greater than 10 to 20 percent of the region—and that may be optimistic.
You’d have to go all the way to Perico, in the Panhandle, to find some relief from hot temperatures in Texas this morning. (Weather Bell)
The heat goes on—especially the early morning heat. Today will likely be July’s ninth morning of 80-degree or warmer morning lows. According to Matt Lanza, that’s now third most for any July on record in Houston, behind only 2009 (12), and 1963 (10). What’s more, the maximum number of 80-degree mornings in any month in the city’s history is 14, recorded back in August, 1964. It now seems probable we will blow through that record as it is only July 12th. I recently shared some thoughts on why we are seeing more warm nights in Houston.
Anyway, let’s jump into the forecast.
Today
If you remember what the weather was like on Monday, we’ve got a near carbon copy today. Hot, sunny, and only very, very isolated rain showers.
Near the beginning of the move Good Morning, Vietnam a character played by Robin Williams, US Air Force radio personality Adrian Cronauer, gives the forecast for South Vietnam. During this region’s heat in July and August in Houston I’m often reminded of these lines from the the movie, which now is nearly 30 years old:
The weather out there today is hot and —-ty with continued hot and —-ty in the afternoon. Tomorrow a chance of continued crappy with a pissy weather front coming down from the north. Basically, it’s hotter than a snake’s ass in a wagon rut.
Anyway, that’s a good forecast for Houston this week. Through 10 days it has been a miserable July, with the average temperature (a combination of highs and lows) running at 88.1 degrees through 10 days. That puts us on pace to have the hottest July on record in the city of Houston, eclipsing 1980, 2009 and 2011. It’s a record I hope we don’t set.
Today and Tuesday
A combination of lingering high pressure and dry lower atmosphere (although not at the surface, where humidity levels will remain high) will combine to shut down nearly all chances of rain. We may see a few stray showers develop south or southeast of Houston—but I doubt it. Highs will remain in the mid-90s, with lows around 80 degrees.
Yuck.
The rain accumulation forecast for now through Wednesday is pretty grim. (Weather Bell)
Houston’s scorching stretch of weather continues. This is certainly not unusual for early July, but the nighttime temperatures certainly have been in a league of minimal, elite company. Eric discussed this yesterday afternoon. In a touch of good news, the temperature dropped below 80° around 4 AM for the first time since last Saturday.
Assuming our low is indeed 79° this morning, the last 6 days of low temperatures averaged 81.2°, it would be the warmest 6 day stretch of nighttimes in Houston’s recorded history (going back to the late 1800s).
Houston’s warmest 6 day stretches of minimum temperatures prior to this morning. (Midwest Regional Climate Center)
Even if it’s “only” 78° this morning, it will tie 2011 at 81.0°. We’ll see later. It’s all statistics and knit picking at this point anyway: It has been uncomfortably hot, and more of the same is on the way.
TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY
Sunny, hot conditions will continue mostly unabated through the weekend. That being said, even yesterday we saw a handful of showers east of Houston in the late morning. As we go through the next few days, yes, there could be some showers around. Those will be extremely hit/miss, and you should probably consider yourself lucky if you end up under one. High temperatures will hit the mid 90s away from the coast without much trouble. Low temperatures will only bottom out around 80°, give or take a couple degrees, in most spots.
Traveling this weekend? Your travel forecast is below:
Travel forecast for the weekend of July 8-10.
Again, just a note, the temperature at Big Bend is the range from high elevations (~90°) to lower elevations (~105°). All in all, it looks like a mostly trouble-free, hot weekend across most of Texas.
