We realize that after surviving last week’s extraordinary heat you are probably reading this in hopes of seeing some hope of respite on the horizon. To make a long story short, there’s very little of that of this week. We’re sorry.
As for the heat last week, it truly was quite a bit beyond normal. The average high temperature was 98 degrees across the city, and it now seems certain that we’re going to beat an ugly record. Longtime residents will probably remember the summer of 2011 in Houston. I recall it because, during the month of August, every single day but one recorded a high temperature of 100 degrees or above. Anyway, June of 2011 was extremely hot that year as well, with an average temperature (that’s the daily high and low, divided by two) of 86.2 degrees. Well, my friends, through Sunday we’re averaging 86.5 degrees for this month. And the next 10 days look considerably hotter, so we’re going to smash the temperature record for June in 2011. No, I don’t know if that means this August will be like August 2011. It’s possible, but not a certainty.
If all of this depresses you, we’re here to help. We’re going to create a top 10 list reasons why this year’s heat and drought is actually kind of a good thing. I realize that finding 10 reasons is going to be a struggle, so I’d like your help. If you have suggestions, please leave a comment here, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or send an email.
Monday
High pressure remains the dominant factor in our weather, and high temperatures today should reach 100 degrees for most locations away from the coast. However, there is a slight chance—perhaps 10 to 20 percent—of showers developing along the sea breeze later today. Winds will be light, out of the east-southeast at 5 to 10 mph. Lows tonight may not drop below 80 degrees for most locations.
Tuesday
Conditions will be a couple of degrees cooler on Tuesday, as there may be a few clouds. Rain chances will probably jump to 20 to 30 percent, and this looks to be the day with the best option for rain for the next week. Look for highs in the mid- to upper-90s.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Heat really builds over the region, beneath the ridge of high pressure. Wednesday may stay in the upper 90s, but Thursday and Friday should see temperatures reach triple digits beneath sunny skies. Hot, hot, hot.
Saturday and Sunday
The heat wave looks to peak this weekend, with temperature readings between 100 to 105 degrees for most locations. It’s going to be brutal.
Next week
The models are fairly consistent in showing the high pressure ridge breaking down about a week from now, and temperatures dropping back into the mid-90s with some better rain chances by next Tuesday or Wednesday. That is a hopeful sign, but because this is forecast to happen 7 or 8 days from now, it is far from something we can take to the bank, I’m afraid.
A benefit to drought – Normally birds leave bird feeders in the fall when plants produce their seeds, but in a drought there are fewer seeds available so there is more bird activity at the feeders from September through November.
Benefit to less rain = far fewer mosquitoes!
Hot high pressure helps keep the hurricanes away at least! Disturbing that the June weather is hotter than 2011. How does this compare to the heat wave on 1980. That was brutal but 2011 was far worse.
We moved back to Houston in the summer of 2011 and house hunting was brutal. I recall that year that Houston lost 40% of its tree canopy from the drought. One upside of a drought is maybe the city of Katy will ban fireworks and my dog won’t think the world is coming to an end.
Looking pretty likely that we may get 0 rain for the whole month of June. The first few months of the year were better than 2011, but we are on the fast track to matching it now I am afraid.
Benefit -the high that is keeping you hot has kicked in the monsoon season here in the southwest. Our fires are being extinguished, so your heat is helping out your neighbors..
There is less mold and fungus. Our fig trees do not have leaf rust yet (a fungus that makes them drop their leaves.)
You can wash your car any day you choose.
The Seymour-Libermann Trail may be safer to use in between the hours of 10 P.M. and Midnight. Like 2011, the Seymour-Libermann trail could possibly have more walkers, joggers, runners, primarily 18 to 24 years-old, jump up from about a dozen normal number of users per hour to around 36 users per hour.
The Seymour-Libermann trail is in Memorial Park circling the golf course.
I crumpled at the statement “It’s going to be brutal.” But then I laughed, because it’s Houston.
Stay cool, everyone! Thanks SCW
The only thing I can think of as a benefit is that I am seeing more of my neighbors in the evenings at dusk as my son and I take our daily walk. They’re out watering their lawns and plants and flowers. (But face it Eric, this weather sucks.)
So, lots of hype on the news about breaking records leading up to and after next weekend. Like 109+. Had me freaked out there for a bit. Tell me it’s only hype, please …
Wow, it sure is and will be hot and dry. Nature has a way of giving us signs, like I saw a tree running after a dog, it has been so dry.
I agree with the less mosquitos statement!!
Yes, one good thing about the hot and dry weather is that the grass turns brown. Usually spring time, April through June brings a lot of rain, then sun, and the grass grows like crazy. Perhaps in August it gets hot and dry and doesn’t grow so fast. This year, there is a lot less mowing, already. Plus, if you use a gas mower, you are saving money on gas. Even filling up a mower is $15.
Less mosquitos
Less mowing
Let’s hope the grid holds up
I’m curious why Harris County has not yet issued a burn ban..?…seems really dangerous
What are your thoughts on how prepared ERCOT will be?
Burn bans are needed for Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend. Benefit – stops fireworks sales to the general public so they don’t set their neighbor’s house on fire.
Can you comment on the validity and usefulness of the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)? On a scale of 0-800, area counties are in the mid-high 600’s.
Fireworks should NOT be banned. (except during a burn ban)
2011 – No hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Only 2 Tropical Storms; Don went in at Corpus, Lee came ashore mid Louisiana.
Benefit to hot and dry weather: Humidity is lower during the day. When it gets that hot, it actually gets less humid like dewpoints get into the 60s vs the 70s on a typical summer day here. So you don’t sweat that much but that’s probably the only good thing about high pressure.
We won’t have to shovel any snow.
With no moisture in the ground the dew point temperatures have mostly been in the 60’s during the heat of the day which makes it more comfortable.
Even with the higher overnight low temperatures, the much lower humidity makes a huge difference in how it feels, went outside last night around 10-10:30 and it felt quite pleasant, even though the temperature was still in the mid 80s.
Another thing with the low humidity is you should actually be able to set your thermostat a bit higher and still feel fine. I prefer cooler temps, but I’ve had my a/c at 77F, and with a ceiling fan running in the room it’s been very comfortable.
What happened in August 2011?
It hit 100 degrees every day except for 2 days. On the 28th it actually hit 109 in Houston. That tied the all time record high set back on September 4th 2000. August of 2011 was true a freak of nature for this area as well as that whole year.
No rain, no mosquitoes! I can get a tan in 10 seconds?
One benefit of drought- not having to moe the grass every week lol
Eric, You may have posted this somewhere, BUT, can you tell me why they do not do cloud seeding here for rain? The farmers do it up north and it is successful.
Well…I always said if our farm could survive 2011 (and the following evacuation from wilfdires and stress related loss of 20% of our dairy herd) that we could survive anything.
Right now I’m thinking that a bright spot might be that this could make the decision to leave farming easier…
I don’t have to take my umbrella to work.
No flooding!