Houston is waking up under clear skies and a chill in the air on Tuesday, with most thermometers stuck in the 40s early on. By afternoon, though, readings will jump into the low 70s as south winds pick up, turning the day noticeably breezier and boosting the odds of a few wind-driven nuisance issues around town.
Afternoon Winds And Marine Outlook
Southerly winds will strengthen through the afternoon, generally in the 0 to 15 mph range with gusts up to 25 mph. Wednesday looks even windier, with gusts pushing near 30 mph and highs close to 80°F. A Small Craft Advisory is posted for coastal waters from 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 24 through 6 a.m. Thursday, February 26, with choppy seas and a gusty onshore flow expected to make bay and near-shore boating uncomfortable and at times hazardous. Tidal levels may run about a half foot below typical low marks this morning, which can affect shallow ramps and channels, so boaters may want to stick to shorter, more sheltered trips or wait for easier conditions. NWS Houston/Galveston
Through The Week
The warmup keeps rolling into Thursday, when daytime highs climb into the low to mid 80s before a weak cold front slips through Thursday night and stalls over the Gulf, bringing only a brief cooldown on Friday. Onshore flow returns Friday night and temperatures rebound into the weekend, leaving most outdoor plans in good shape: warm and mainly dry. For background on this pattern and the earlier fog that affected commutes, see our coverage of the earlier fog that affected commutes.
What To Watch
Secure loose patio furniture and yard decorations, and use extra caution on elevated bridges and bay crossings through Thursday, where gusts can shove around high-profile vehicles and give cyclists a tougher ride. Boaters should heed the Small Craft Advisory and double-check local marine conditions before casting off.
