The month of November in Houston is wrapping up with a twist, as it sets a new precedent for warm weather. With an unprecedented 18 days of 80 degrees recorded at Bush Intercontinental Airport, this November is likely the warmest on record for the Bayou City, according to the Houston Chronicle. However, the end of the month has brought temperatures back below the norm, with highs in the low 60s and overnight lows ranging from the upper 30s to 40s.
The current weather outlook predicts that, today's skies will remain clear thanks to high atmospheric pressure, which is expected to hold until tomorrow, offering light winds and an extension of the city's cooler weather phase. A minor atmospheric disturbance is anticipated to bring in more clouds later in the evening, raising temperatures slightly with lows around 50 degrees in the city, as per the National Weather Service. Areas outside the city, will see cooler temperatures, and regions like the Piney Woods may even dip into the 30s.
Transitioning into December, the city of Houston can expect a warm-up come tomorrow with southeast winds heralding a gradual temperature increase into the mid and upper 60s. Nevertheless, a coastal low-pressure system due to form on Tuesday could spell scattered showers and thunderstorms for much of the coming week, potentially generating over an inch of rainfall in some areas, as mentioned by Houston Chronicle.
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center foresees a warmer and drier December than usual, a time frame often influenced by the effects of La Niña, which is associated with cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific and typically results in warmer, drier conditions for regions like Texas. In light of this, the Climate Prediction Center has suggested nearly a 60 percent chance that La Niña will persist through January to March, shaping the weather in the months ahead. Yet, as winter officially begins tomorrow, average temperatures are on a downward trajectory, calling into question when Houston will see its first freeze. Despite historical averages indicating December 9, the National Gardening Association projects a 50% chance of reaching 32 degrees around December 20 and an 80% chance by January 11.
In summary, while Houstonians enjoyed a notably warm November, the transition into December arrives with the promise of cooler temperatures and gentle winds, before an expected uptick in precipitation as we move further into the month. Citizens can prepare for what may be a drier than average winter, but with the possibility of a frost later into December, as the impacts of La Niña continue to play upon the local climate stage.
