Houston/ Weather & Environment
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Published on October 14, 2024
Houston Battles Unseasonable Heat Wave on Columbus Day, Warm Week Ahead Despite Air Quality AlertSource: Google Street View

As Houston celebrates Columbus Day under the Texan sun, the city experiences a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the National Weather Service's forecast, the high pressure is here to stay for the day, accompanied by a light southwest wind clocking in at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, the skies will remain mostly clear as temperatures mildly dip to around 68 degrees with a tranquil north wind lingering around 5 mph.

The sweltering heat is set to continue through Tuesday, with a forecasted high of 95 degrees and a comforting west wind at a soothing 5 mph pace however, the evening brings some respite as the mercury is expected to drop around 64 degrees, challenged by gusts as high as 20 mph from a more robust northeast wind. The heat index readings in the region are running between 10 and 16 degrees above normal, as highlighted by the National Weather Service Houston, adding an abnormal intensity to what should be the onset of autumnal weather, on top of that there's an air quality alert in effect for residents in Houston, Galveston, & Brazoria counties, urging those especially with respiratory issues to take caution.

The weather narrative takes a turn on Wednesday, presenting a sunny outlook with a more tolerable high near 76 degrees, while the gusty conditions persist with northeast winds at 10 to 15 mph, and the possibility of reaching gusts as high as 20 mph. The following nights forecast delivers a promise of mostly clear skies with lows oscillating around the mid-60s.

Despite the pressing heat, the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center brings good news in their latest forecast discussion stating, "Severe thunderstorms are not expected today and tonight," as lake effect convection over the Great Lakes and thunderstorms in Utah, northern New Mexico, and western Colorado speak to the larger meteorological shifts taking place across the country. The weekend outlook holds a sliver of change with a 20 percent chance of showers predicted for Saturday; however, mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 80s will dominate the days, rounding out what has been an exceptionally warm week for Houston's inhabitants.