Long-time Houston residents will know the month to really fear, in terms of heat, humidity, and drought—not to mention very strong hurricanes—is August. I’ll have more later this week on why August is this region’s hottest month, but for now just know that it is. August is a month to be survived in Houston, as we await the beginning of fall in late September. And this week will be a typical August in Houston.
Today
Upper-level high pressure will begin building over Houston today, but there’s a chance we may squeeze a few showers under the pressure later this afternoon when the sea breeze lights up. I don’t think coverage will be that great, and I expect showers that do develop to be short lived. Highs will be in the mid- to upper-90s.
Tuesday and Wednesday
With high pressure dominating we’ll see mostly sunny days with highs in the upper 90s. Some inland areas may flirt with 100 degrees. Lows in the upper 70s.
(Space City weather thanks Bellaire Dermatology, our sponsor for August.)
Thursday
Some moisture begins to return meaning there is a chance of isolated storms, mainly along the sea breeze. Still hot, though, with highs in the upper 90s.
Friday through Sunday
It appears as though precipitable water values will be on the rise, allowing for decent rain chances, probably in the 30 to 40 percent most days. This chance may increase, depending on how much moisture moves in, and obviously afternoon storms would hold down high temperatures. In any case, this weekend shouldn’t be nearly so hot as the mid-week.
Tropics
Matt and I spent some time talking about Invest 97L over the weekend, and by Sunday it became pretty clear this system was most likely going to follow a mostly westerly track through the Caribbean Sea, across the Yucatan Peninsula and into the Bay of Campeche.
The system, which is close to becoming a tropical depression, almost certainly does not pose a threat to Texas. However it’s a good reminder that by reaching August we’ve also arrived in the heart of hurricane season, and by all appearances this August looks to be fairly active.
Hope you’re right about 97L. But i’ve had downpours the last 5 days when it was supposed to be mostly dry, so you never know.
August is, indeed, the *Cruelest Month* – a time when I seriously wonder if this misery will ever end. But, of course, it will . . . . eventually.
I always tell people that Houston has two seasons: “August” and “August is coming” 😀
I’d be interested in a follow-up on the record heat during the first half of July and where the month ended up after the increase in precipitation over the last two weeks. Any plans for a post?
Sure, Mike.
Red Alert Eric:
ECMWF projects another tropical low in the W/NW Gulf of Mexico by August 11.
Paul’s right, Eric.