Sweet relief for Southeast Texas

How sweet it is! Relief has arrived. Stepping outside this morning is more a pleasure than a chore. Yesterday’s cold front is now offshore, and we’re firmly entrenched in a pleasant and cooling air mass. That sets up what should be a great weekend.

Today through Monday

With the front through and dry northerly winds ongoing, expect a delightful Friday. Sunshine will dominate with highs in the mid to upper 70s. We’re skirting an interesting, albeit random record today. Tomorrow would tie the latest we’ve ever recorded our first 80° or cooler high temperature for the season. That means we’ll miss the record by one day today. I doubt anyone will complain.

The 10 latest first dates of 80° or lower for a high temperature in Houston. (NOAA)
The 10 latest first dates of 80° or lower for a high temperature in Houston. (NOAA)

 

So with that in mind, the rest of the weekend looks pretty solid. After we see lows in the low to mid 50s tonight (and some 40s away from the city and the coast),we’ll have another winner of a day Saturday. Expect more sunshine and highs in the mid to upper 70s again. Heading to Rice to see the Owls take on Prairie View A&M? It looks great.

1021_ricepvamcast

Sunday looks good also. Expect a start in the 50s again, followed by even more sunshine. I do think some high clouds will slip through on Sunday, but it shouldn’t be anything too serious. Temps will max out around or a few ticks above 80° on Sunday afternoon.

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Have yourself a weekend, Houston

Is anyone ready for a cold front? It’s not here yet, but it remains on the way. And golly I am ready.

Today

Some showers have developed along the coast this morning from Brazosport to Galveston, and this rain should remain largely confined to the coastal counties, possibly bringing 1 inch or more to some areas.

Meanwhile, a broken line of storms just ahead of the cold front is moving steadily to the southeast, toward Houston. It should reach northern areas of the region late this morning, and likely will move through Houston this afternoon and off the coast this evening. Expect a chance of storms with the front’s passage, but nothing too threatening. Conditions will be breezy in the front’s wake, especially close to the coast.

The Texas Tech model shows a line of broken storms nearing the coast at 5pm CT today.
The Texas Tech model shows a line of broken storms nearing the coast at 5pm CT today, with the cold front just behind it. The storms will exit the area along with the front.

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Must. Get. Through. One. More. Day. Of. Summer.

We’re almost to fall, folks. Almost. We just have to get through today and Thursday morning before a cool front arrives.

Today

Fog, especially in rural areas, may be a problem until about 9 a.m. The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory through then for most of the metro areas, so be sure and take care when driving. Otherwise, we’re in for one more summer-like day. The difference between today and Monday and Tuesday, however, is that with high pressure moving east we’re going to see more clouds (especially along the coast) and possibly some scattered showers later today. I still expect to see highs around 90 degrees.

Thursday

The big day. As moisture pools ahead of the front we should see some fairly widespread, although likely brief, showers during the middle of the day. The front itself should move into northern parts of the region by around noon, and likely will be off the coast by or before sunset. Any rain should end with the front’s passage, and breezy conditions will follow in its wake, and drier, cooler air will move in Thursday night and Friday.

Saturday morning's forecast low temperatures per the GFS model. (Weather Bell)
Saturday morning’s forecast low temperatures per the GFS model. (Weather Bell)

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Two more days of excessive October heat for Houston

Monday saw record, and near-record heat across the Houston area. Hobby Airport set a record with a high temperature of 92 degrees, and College Station tied a record by reaching the same temperatures. We need to get through a couple more days of anomalous October heat before finally seeing some relief.

Today

High pressure remains in place over Texas, and so conditions on Tuesday will be a lot like those on Monday—which is to say hot, mostly sunny, humid and rain-free.

Houston will remain under an early September-like ridge of high pressure for one more day. (Weather Bell)
Houston remains under an early September-like ridge of high pressure for one more day. (Weather Bell)

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