You wanted some winter in Houston? You got it.

Good morning. Temperatures have generally fallen into the upper 40s to low 50s across Houston this morning, and this is actually quite warm compared to what is ahead, as it will get downright cold this weekend, with a real winter feel.

Today

We should see highs around 60 degrees today as winds return from the south. Skies will probably remain overcast most of the day, and there’s a chance of some light, misty rain later this afternoon and evening, especially along the coast. Winds will shift back out of the north tonight, marking the beginning of a really cold three-day period for the region as cold air moving in will drive lows on Friday morning into the low 40s.

Friday

Cold. Gray. Gloomy. Possibly some light rain. All this and more describes conditions on Friday, when highs will struggle to rise out of the low 40s. Oh, and there will be a stiff northerly breeze that will add an additional burst of cold. You wanted winter in Houston? You got it.

Temperatures on Friday night will fall likely fall just below freezing in the city of Houston, and likely into the upper 20s north of the city. While that would be cold enough to produce some frozen precipitation, it looks like any rain chances will end by Friday evening, which means the region shouldn’t see sleet or any other type of wintry mix to complicate driving conditions.

Estimated freeze line for Saturday morning. (National Weather Service/Space City Weather)

(Space City Weather is sponsored by Westbury Christian School for this month)

The weekend

This will be Houston’s coldest weekend in awhile. Skies should begin clearing across the region by or before around noon on Saturday, allowing highs to rise to about 45 degrees. (If you’re tailgating for the monumental Osweiler-Cook matchup at NRG stadium, temperatures at noon will reach about 40 degrees, which will feel like the mid-30s with a 10mph northerly wind). Lows on Saturday night should be similar to those on Friday night, with a light freeze possible in the city. Highs Sunday may warm to about 50 degrees.

Next week

Houston will gradually warm up next week, reaching a pattern of highs in the low- to mid-70s and lows around 60 degrees by the middle of the week. The outlook for the January 15th Houston Marathon is still not locked in, but it’s still looking warm. I’ll have a comprehensive update on that this afternoon.

Posted at 6:35am CT by Eric on Wednesday

9 thoughts on “You wanted some winter in Houston? You got it.”

  1. Just want to say thank you for continued useful and interesting reporting. Love the graphics.

  2. I’m glad to get a taste of something almost approaching real winter for a change.

    Now we need the hockey team to go with it….

  3. “the monumental Osweiler-Cook matchup at NRG stadium…”

    Eric, you are like Wayne Dolcefino standing in a puddle on Bissonnet during a drizzle, warning about massive flooding ahead.

    • This was supposed to be “scheduled” for Feb, while I’m basking on the beach in Hawaii, 80 F / 26.7 C (trip planned some time ago). That way, I’m in perfect weather while Houston has sonw and ice covered roads 🙂

      “Cold” is a relative term, however. It was minus 22 F in Fairbanks, AK, overnight.

  4. Eric,

    You were supposed to hold of on this “cold” (“Cold” being relative — it was -21 F in Winnipeg early Thurs morning).

    The “schedule” was supposed to be February, while I’m basking on the beach in Hawaii (80 F, 26.7 C) and the Houston area was dealing with snow and ice covered roads!

    Just joking. Thanks for this service, facts without hype.

Comments are closed.