Houston drivers rolled out Thursday morning to mostly mild, 57°F air and deceptively clear skies in spots, only to hit pockets of pea-soup fog, especially in low-lying neighborhoods and near the coast. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect through 9 a.m. CST, and that patchy to locally dense fog is the main headache for the morning commute.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
The Dense Fog Advisory covers much of the coastal and near-coastal metro and warns visibility could drop to a quarter mile or less. As yesterday's foggy commute breakdown noted, the thickest fog is south of I-10. The good news: the fog should start thinning by mid-morning, with skies turning mostly sunny afterward.
Once the sun wins out, inland highs should climb to around 78°F while coastal spots stay in the upper 60s. Winds remain light early, then turn southeast by evening, setting the stage for what is coming next.
Valentine's Weekend Storms
A stronger system is expected to move in late Friday and into Saturday, bringing a high chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day Saturday and a continued threat into Saturday night. The National Weather Service says some of those storms could become strong, and repeated storms, or "training," may produce heavy rain and localized street flooding, according to NWS Houston/Galveston. If your Valentine's plans involve Saturday afternoon or evening outings, it is smart to have an indoor backup and keep an eye on updates.
What To Expect On The Roads
This morning is not the time to ride anyone's bumper. Reduce speed, use low-beam headlights in the fog, and leave extra room to stop. Bridges and exposed roadways will be the first to turn slick.
Over the weekend, heavier downpours and potential storm training could lead to ponding and minor street flooding. If you see standing water, turn around instead of testing your luck. Behind the front on Sunday, breezy northwesterly winds should bring in drier air and more comfortable humidity, with highs near 70°F.
Expect updates if advisories change through the day, and check conditions before you head out, especially for coastal trips or Saturday evening plans. For the most current watches and warnings, follow local officials and area traffic authorities.
