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.
Saturday through Monday
The absence of dominating high pressure and some increasing atmospheric moisture levels should bring some slightly better rain chances over the weekend. I will be honest when I say that, after a long period without rain, I’m always hesitant to be too gung-ho about rain chances, but this period does look somewhat favorable and I believe its possible that 40 to 50 percent of the region could see some amount of precipitation during this three day period. I’d look for maybe a few tenths of an inch, but not much more. Also, a lot of Houston probably won’t see any rain. Highs will remain in the mid-90s, with lows in the upper 70s.
Tuesday and beyond
As meager as this weekend’s rain chances are, they’re probably the best Houston is going to get for awhile, as high pressure builds back over the region beginning during the early part of next week. I’m not sure whether this is going to be a suffocating (no rain at all) ridge or whether we’re going to be just south of the strongest area of high pressure such that a few scattered storms will be able to rotate into Houston during the afternoon hours. But I do think it’s safe to bet on mostly hot and dry weather for most of the rest of July.
Oh, great…already almost 5 weeks without rain(well, OK, Technically, it did ‘rain’ .05 or less 3 weeks ago). Yard is really suffering and I hate to think about the water bill! Still, thanks for the excellent info, even if it is not what I need to hear!
I’m right there with you, Lee.
Thanks so much for this site! Would love to see a “weather why” on the “high pressure ridge” that seems to be a fixture in our summer forecasts.
Sure, that’s a great suggestion.
What do you mean rotate, Eric? Are you saying some of the storms might be severe?
I am not, I am just saying some storms can move in off the Gulf without being entirely impeded by high pressure.