Rain chances persist through the weekend before proper summer heat next week

In brief: Houston has enjoyed a relatively mild start to July, thanks to daily rain chances helping to keep a lid on temperatures. That pattern will persist through the weekend before classic summertime heat arrives next week in the region.

A fairly mild start to July

The first 10 days of July have brought fairly mild conditions, with high temperatures generally in the low- to mid-90s, and overnight lows in the low- to mid-70s. Rain showers and thunderstorms peppered here and there have also kept the afternoon heat from really feeling too punishing. We’ve been enjoying this pattern due to the region lying between two high pressure systems that have baked other parts of the country. Alas, all good things must end. Houston’s weather will remain unsettled, but with mild temperatures, through Sunday or Monday. But after that we’re headed into the mid- and then upper-90s for much of next week as mid-July brings proper Houston heat.

Friday

Houston did not see much shower activity on Thursday, and I think showers and thunderstorms will be fairly scattered to isolated today as well. Mostly sunny skies should allow high temperatures to reach the low 90s for areas closer to the coast, and mid-90s further inland. Southerly winds will be a little more pronounced than we have experienced of late, perhaps gusting up to 20 mph. Any rains will slacken this evening, with a calm night expected in the upper 70s.

Saturday or Sunday

Both weekend days will see healthy rain chances, likely 50 percent or higher. But these will not be all-day showers, and in fact I expect sunshine most of the time. It will be the kind of thing where the showers move in and then, generally, move out. Areas along and north of Interstate 10 are most likely to see stronger showers and thunderstorms, and some areas may pick up a quick 1 to 2 inches of rain in the heaviest storms. Most of us probably will record 0.25 inch of rain over the weekend, or less, however. Like we’ve been saying for several days, these showers will be hit-or-miss. Highs both days should be in the lower 90s with fairly light southerly winds.

Monday

This will be a bit of a transition day, with highs maybe holding in the low- to mid-90s, and still perhaps a 40 percent chance of rain. But this is probably the last day where we can have some expectation of showers and thunderstorms.

Next week

Highs will move into the mid- to upper-90s for the rest of next week, with mostly sunny days and warm, humid nights. I don’t have much expectation of rainfall before next Saturday or Sunday, and perhaps not even then.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!