Record warmth for July continues in Houston

Houston had another staggeringly warm morning today, with the low only falling to 81 degrees. This continues the warmest start to July, in terms of average daily minimum temperature, on record for the city of Houston. We’ve now recorded five consecutive mornings with a temperature of 80 degrees or higher, which is also a record. Some readers have asked why this warmth is occurring, and I will dive a bit deeper into that question later today.

For now, let’s look at the forecast.

Today through Monday

The forecast remains more or less set in stone. With high pressure in place over Texas, the region is likely to continue to see high temperatures in the mid-90s, lows around 80 degrees, and mostly sunny skies. With the high weakening a bit this weekend we might see a few scattered showers on Saturday, or perhaps Sunday, but by and large the region is going to remain dry and hot. Daily high temperatures and humidity should remain just below the level at which the National Weather Service would issue a heat advisory, however.

Tuesday through Thursday

Pressures should begin to fall a little bit by Tuesday or so, and in addition we should see some rising instability in the atmosphere.

In these forecasts from the European model, we can see pressure falling from this weekend (top image) to more moderate levels from Tuesday through Friday next week. (Weather Bell)
In these forecasts from the European model, we can see pressure falling from this weekend (top image) to more moderate levels from Tuesday through Friday next week (bottom image). (Weather Bell)

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Finally, after the Tax Day floods, the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs have emptied

Nearly three months have come and gone since the Tax Day Floods ravaged the Houston area in April. As you may recall, during these storms rain fell at rates as high as 1 inch in just 5 minutes over parts of Harris County, with a maximum hourly rate of 4.7 inches. The rain topped out at 16.7 inches in just 12 hours over western Harris County. All told, Harris County averaged 7.75″ of rainfall for the event— equivalent to 240 billion gallons of water falling on the area.

One of the most memorable aspects of those floods came when both the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs filled up, and flooded the adjacent Highway 6. These watersheds located upstream of Houston provide flood damage reduction along Buffalo Bayou downstream of the reservoirs and through the center of the city.

A view of the flooded Addicks Reservoir. (John Chandler/Flickr)
A view of the flooded Addicks Reservoir. (John Chandler/Flickr)

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Houston’s low temperatures tie all time records this week

Houston’s warm weather continues, and while the daytime temperatures have been hot—97 degrees for three days in a row—the overnight lows have been exceptional. Let’s discuss the morning heat before jumping into the forecast.

Overnight lows

Houston has had the following “low” temperatures at Bush Intercontinental Airport since Sunday morning:

  • July 3: 80
  • July 4: 82
  • July 5: 83
  • July 6: 82 (as of 7am CT)

As my colleague Matt Lanza noted this morning on Twitter, this is a record-tying run of overnight warmth for Houston. Assuming the city’s low is 82 degrees this morning, Houston will tie for warmest 4-day average minimum temps on record (81.8 degrees).

Record four-day stretches of overnight low temperatures. (Matt Lanza)
Record four-day stretches of overnight low temperatures. (Matt Lanza)

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Houston this week: Hot days, sunny skies, sweaty skin.

Houston has had consecutive days of 97-degree temperatures, and I don’t foresee this heat wave breaking soon. However some relief should eventually arrive in about 10 days time.

Today through Friday

Easy forecast. With high pressure anchored in place highs will be in the mid- to upper-90s, and a heat advisory in effect for today may be extended for much of this week. Lows will be around 80 degrees. Skies mostly sunny. Skin mostly sweaty.

European model temperature anomaly map for now through Friday. Most of Texas is 2 to 5 degrees (Celsius) warmer than normal. (Weather Bell)
European model temperature anomaly map for now through Friday. Most of Texas is 2 to 5 degrees (Celsius) warmer than normal. (Weather Bell)

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