HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Our foggy, humid, and warm weather is going nowhere until a strong cold front arrives next week.
For now a heat ridge parked over the Gulf of Mexico will keep our highs and lows running about 20 degrees above average, challenging record highs all the way into the weekend. Houston’s average high for this time of year is 67 and the average low is 47.
Thick sea fog is already back along the coast, and it will again expand inland overnight as the winds slow down. You might consider padding some extra time into your morning commute, and be prepared to slow down if you encounter dense fog. Isolated showers are possible, especially in the morning, but your chance of rain is less than 20%.
Temperatures overnight will just briefly dip below 70 degrees then come soaring back into the low 80s when the sun pokes out in afternoon. The record high to beat Thursday in Houston is 83 degrees set in 2012.
How long will the sea fog stick around?
Sea fog will continue to be an issue through at least Saturday and possibly extend all the way into Tuesday of next week. A weak cool front will try to push into Southeast Texas Saturday night, which should push the sea fog back into the Gulf. Otherwise, we’ll have to wait until a stronger cold front arrives next week to push the fog away. Until then, the density of the sea fog will depend on how strong the winds blow. With weather winds expected Thursday night and Friday, the sea fog will become dense and more widespread heading into the weekend.
How will the front impact our weekend weather?
Ahead of the front it should be warm and humid again on Saturday. The frontal timing is still uncertain, but it will likely hold off until Saturday night. Scattered thunderstorms are possible ahead of the front Saturday afternoon and evening. Some showers could linger into Sunday morning. Temperatures behind this front will only drop lows toward the low 60s and highs into the 70s.
How cold will it get behind the stronger cold front next week?
This cold front arriving next Tuesday or Wednesday has the potential to drop highs into the 50s and 60s with lows in the 30s and 40s. It will mark a pattern change that could bring chilly weather all the way to Christmas Day.
