All issues thought-about, Tuesday was a extremely nice day. The Solar emerged through the afternoon hours, and excessive temperatures climbed to just about 60 levels. We’ll stay comparatively heat by Thursday afternoon, at which period a robust Arctic entrance will barrel into the Houston area and plunge temperatures nicely beneath freezing within the metro space. This may deliver the area its coldest climate since February 2021, and requires precautions for uncovered pipes, tropical vegetation, and pets.
Wednesday
Whereas we noticed some sunshine on Tuesday, skies as we speak will most likely stay on the principally cloudy aspect of issues. This could restrict excessive temperatures to the higher 50s. Winds will probably be gentle, out of the northeast. Lows tonight will solely drop into the mid-40s as winds shift to come back from the south and southeast. This may herald the start of a short-lived warming pattern.
Thursday
Except for the potential for some patchy fog, Thursday morning appears effective. Highs might briefly climb into the low 60s forward of the entrance, which most likely will push by Harris County between 2 and 4 pm ET. Some very gentle precipitation is probably with the entrance, however it won’t be sufficient to stay to roads, so inclement driving circumstances will not be anticipated. Temperatures will drop swiftly after the entrance’s passage, with freezing circumstances doubtless north and west of Houston by sundown, and temperatures dropping into the higher 20s by 8 to 10 pm. Winds will probably be very gusty, out of the north at as much as 35 mph. This may make for very disagreeable circumstances exterior Thursday night time and Friday morning, when obvious temperatures drop into the only digits.
Friday
This would be the coldest morning of the 12 months in Houston, Texas. However how chilly? That’s the query. We’re assured in clear skies, which are perfect for radiational cooling. Nonetheless, mixing from the gusty winds will complicate issues. That mentioned, I feel lows will backside out from 15 to twenty levels north of Interstate 10, from 17 to 23 levels south of Interstate 10 in Harris and Fort Bend counties, and from 20 to 25 levels in coastal counties, together with Galveston. Friday will probably be sunny, with nonetheless very chilly with a stiff northerly breeze. Highs doubtless will briefly climb above freezing through the daytime for a lot of the area, however we will anticipate one other very chilly night time, with lows solely 2 to five levels hotter than Thursday night time.
Saturday
Christmas Eve appears sunny, with excessive temperatures of round 40 levels. It is going to be one other chilly night time, nevertheless, with lows dropping into the mid-20s.
Sunday
Christmas Day needs to be principally sunny, with highs within the mid-40s. Dare I say that may really feel nearly balmy? OK, most likely not. A light-weight freeze is feasible on Sunday night time for areas away from the coast.
Subsequent week
Monday will see an ongoing warming pattern, however after that there’s some query about whether or not a reinforcing chilly entrance strikes into the world. If it does, this might maintain the area on the cooler aspect of issues—nights within the 30s?—by about Wednesday. By the second half of subsequent week I anticipate us to see highs within the 70s. A weak entrance might arrive forward of New 12 months’s Eve, bringing some rain, however that’s on the fringe of our capacity to foretell climate.
