Houston is expected to see a reprieve from its recent rainy spell as a ridge of high atmospheric pressure descends upon the area, promising clearer skies and hotter temperatures. According to a forecast from the National Weather Service, residents can anticipate mostly sunny days with highs hovering around the mid-90s, while heat index values may reach as high as 103 degrees, the subtle southeast winds offering little respite from the oppressive heat.
The subtropical high, often referred to as a "heat dome," is expected to limit rainfall and bring in stable air that will maintain high humidity; this combination will make temperatures feel significantly hotter than the thermometer readings. While Houston will mostly see blue skies, the possibility of the occasional rain shower or storm still looms on both Wednesday and Thursday. In the forecast, there's a chance for isolated showers or thunderstorms with a 20 percent likelihood tomorrow after 1 p.m., and similar conditions on Sunday as well. The wind will remain mostly calm, becoming southeast in the afternoon, furthering the mugginess.
In a recent update from the Houston Chronicle, the Saharan dust that has swept over the city is not only contributing to hazy conditions but also inhibiting the formation of tropical cyclones. Nevertheless, the evenings might still offer a visually stunning respite as "This layer of dust, floating thousands of feet above the ground, will scatter sunlight on the horizon at dusk, enhancing the reddish-orange hues of the sunset," which is expected to occur at 8:26 p.m.
While the heat index might suggest staying indoors, photography enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to capture some spectacular sunset images. With the Saharan dust in play, it presents an opportunity to snap shots similar to one taken by an Austin meteorologist who photographed dust within a raindrop. Although an isolated shower can't be ruled out, the forecast for Independence Day is mostly sunny with a comfortable high near 93 and a light south wind that will pick up to 5 to 10 mph in the morning, after which conditions will settle down heading into the latter half of the week.
