Houston, and much of the southern United States, now face a prolonged warm spell that will likely last for nearly all of the rest of February. We are going to see highs of around 80 degrees for the next week, with fairly sticky dewpoints in the 60s. The other notable thing is that, after a fairly wet winter so far, rain chances will be near zero for the same period.
This pattern may finally start to break by early next week. I’m not ready to say winter is over, but I would say it’s more likely than not that we’re done with nights in the 30s for this winter. We’ll still have a few cold nights in the next couple of months, certainly, but this week will bring us into springtime in Houston.
Presidents Day
As much warmer air moves over cooler waters, we’re seeing the formation of sea fog this morning for areas closer to the coast. After the fog dissipates today we’ll be left with partly to mostly cloudy skies and high temperatures of around 80 degrees. A very few, scattered showers will be possible south of Interstate 10 this afternoon, where atmospheric moisture levels are highest. But any precipitation that makes it to the ground will be light. Lows tonight will only drop into the mid-60s in Houston, with the development of sea fog likely once again.
Tuesday
Expect another day like Monday, with highs in the low 80s. The only real difference will come in the form of stronger winds from the southwest, perhaps gusting to around 20 mph, and a bit higher overnight. Lows will only drop to around 70 degrees. Needless to say this is rather warm for late February.
Wednesday
In response to an upper-level system, winds on Wednesday will be stronger still out of the south, perhaps gusting to 35 or even 40 mph. These warm winds, southerly flow, and partially clearing skies will amp up temperatures, pushing highs into the mid- to possibly upper-80s in the metro area. I would not entirely rule out a few inland areas pushing 90 degrees, but I don’t think most of the metro area will reach that mark.
Thursday and Friday
A weak front will move into the Houston area and stall toward the end of the week, but at this point I don’t think it will have too much effect on our sensible weather. Put another way, we can probably expect mostly cloudy skies, highs in the low 80s, and warm nights. Rain chances remain low, about 10 percent.
Saturday and Sunday
Expect more of the same this weekend, with warm and humid air, highs of around 80 degrees, and cloudy skies. The potential for fog will continue to be present in the forecast. Rain chances will be on the order of 10 percent each day.
Next week
As always the details start to get hazy as we approach the early part of next week, but it does look as though some sort of front will trundle into Houston by around next Monday. I’m not seeing much of a signal for rainfall with this front, but it’s certainly possible. This should bring us a few days of sunnier weather, with highs in the 70s and lows, perhaps, in the 50s. By then most of us should be ready for some drier air.
Dazed and Confused
If you’re looking for something fun to do on Saturday evening, come join me at the Museum of Fine Arts to watch Dazed and Confused. I’ll speak for a few minutes before the film, and then we’ll sit down to watch the glorious movie in its original 35mm film format, and take in that spectacular 70s soundtrack in a theater. I can’t wait!
Pushing 90 in February. Gotta love Houston!
More like global warming
sigh
Not denying climate change of course, but this has happened before. The record high for today is 91.
The months after I moved down here (December 1997) were like this. It was cold and then real warm, etc. This was the year that the tornado hit First Colony Mall. I was at the intersection of SH6 and Lexington when it happened. Never been up close to one before (I am from UT). I was sitting in my car on 6, thinking “wow this is cool.” Everyone in the cars around me were bailing out of their cars and getting into the ditches. They all told me after that I was nuts to sit in my car…… But it got real hot early and stayed hot all through the summer. The day my family and I got to our house in June 1998, it was well over 100 F and dry as a bone.
So although I know climate change is real, these warm temperatures have happened before.
Winter here is suppose to alternate between cold and warm. It should be–A cold front hits, it’s rainy and cold for a day. Clear and cold for a day, then chilly for a day as the wind shifts to come from the Gulf and it becomes warmer and more humid, then another cold front hits.
Yes you are absolutely correct. Some winters it stays cold for longer periods of time, but overall our cold weather here in Southeast Texas always comes in shortlived doses most of the time.
Yes I completely agree with you. 1998 was definitely quite an anomaly in this region with heat and drought. Also If you look back at the data of our distant past of you will see plenty of freak warm and cold events. The 50s was a pretty crazy decade in Texas for heat and drought. But with our current climate change the freak warm events tend to be happening more often than before.
Well, “winter” was nice while it lasted😔
Looks like Houston swamp weather has finally arrived … feels disgusting outside.
Need more winter.
“If you’re looking for something fun to do on Saturday evening, come join me at the Museum of Fine Arts to watch Dazed and Confused.”
Is one allowed to ask -why?
You are allowed to ask why, lol.. It’s just a movie man relax
These are great news! I love that winter is finally over. This is why I love the south.
It’s raining today on the west side… pretty steady heavy rain. So forecast is all wrong again.
I guess we just gotta act like the “SWW” post back on 2/10 never happened since nada thing has been said since.
Indeed.
But I’m glad we can forget about that.
It’s sticky, sultry, steamy and moist out there yall. I hate it when I go to get my mail and it’s damp.
I wish snow is gone because I am seek and tired
See you Saturday