In brief: Houston’s fling with warm, muggy, and at-times foggy weather will end today with the passage of a cold front this afternoon. This will usher in several days of sunny, cooler weather with ample dry air. A warming trend returns next week, but the overall outlook for Christmas Day is mild, with rain chances near zero.
Sea fog
Conditions are ideal this morning for the development of dense fog, and we are seeing just that with light winds and saturated air. Visibility in some locations is as low as one-quarter of a mile, and it is making driving hazardous and slower than normal. And hey, driving in Houston at rush hour is already pretty slow and hazardous, you know? The fog should dissipate by a couple of hours after sunrise, and with drier air moving in this afternoon it will no longer be a concern for awhile.
Wednesday
After the fog clears this morning skies should be partly to mostly sunny, and highs will likely reach at least the lower 70s today with plenty of humidity. The front should push into northwestern regions by around noon today, as a broken line of showers (with perhaps a few thunderstorms). This line will progress rapidly toward the coast, and likely be offshore by the mid- to late-afternoon hours. Gusty northerly winds will follow, quickly dropping dewpoints. Temperatures will fall to around 60 degrees by sunset, and most of Houston will bottom out in the upper 40s by early Thursday.
Thursday and Friday
These will be a pair of fine, clear days with high temperatures in the low- to mid-60s. Winds will generally be light, from the north. Thursday night will again see lows in the upper 40s, but Friday night into Saturday morning will be chillier due to a reinforcing front. Expect some inland areas to reach the mid- to upper-30s.
Saturday
This will be the coldest day of the forecast period, with high temperatures in the upper 50s to perhaps 60 degrees, with plenty of sunshine. Lows Saturday night will drop to the low 40s in Houston.
Sunday
Another sunny day, with highs in the low 60s probably, and a bit warmer conditions Sunday night.
Next week
Most of next week looks warmer, with highs generally in the 70s, lows in the upper 50s, and modestly humid air. The models continue to suggest that some rain will be possible later next week, but for now it very likely will hold off for Christmas Day.
Lots of people were commenting on how rare this warmth is this time of the year and how it used to be colder etc…
Truth is the mercury has hit or topped 70 degrees on Christmas day 32 times since 1900 in Houston. Or about 1 in 4 years, not really rare for us at all.
While that’s probably true, I’d guess that at this point we’ve also typically had some cold weather whereas this year we have had maybe two cool days so far? I personally don’t want to live somewhere where it’s hot/warm year round and it seems Houston is heading in that direction which is frustrating.
For once, I agree with you Glenn
While that’s probably true, I’d guess that at this point we’ve also typically had some cold weather whereas this year we have had maybe two cool days so far? I personally don’t want to live somewhere where it’s hot/warm year round and it seems Houston is heading in that direction which is frustrating.
I think it’s the general lack of any lasting cool that’s frustrating. While I’m sure it’s been warm plenty of times on Christmas before, we’ve had some weeks of nice temps at least once or twice before then.
I’m a native, and I do remember seasons back in the 70s and 80s. This is annoying and gross.
…also I didn’t get a chance to reply to the person that told their scorpion story from a few days ago – crazy!! My dad lives in Austin and has them there, but I’ve never seen them here. Fingers crossed you don’t see any more. Although they could be nice and at least eat the stupid roaches. 😆
Way back in the 1960s, in Chappell Hill, a couple of scorpions were found in a shoe at my Grand Aunt’s country house, when my family spent a night. At my great grandmother’s home, at certain times of the year, there would be about dozen tarantulas scattered crawling in the front yard.
Warm, humid is good….the tropical plants stay around longer. Many disagree but there’s a cadre of people here that prefer the Gulf Coast semi tropical climate and zone 9-10 type growing conditions.
That’s me. I’m perfectly fine with warmer weather. I’m a native and this feels very normal to me. I love not wearing jackets and such when going out. Using the A/C several days in December is also not unusual. I can remember being a child wearing shorts and playing barefoot outside around Christmas time.
I hate hate hate this weather! Three days of this awfully humid mess a week before Christmas is just too much! I cannot wait for the cold front to get here.
For you warm weather haters, I hear it’s pretty cold in Minnesooota.😆
I knew there would end up beings more 80 degree days this year.