Houston woke up warm, cloudy and sticky this morning, sitting at 68°F with muggy air and patches of dense fog that could slow the drive in. As the day wears on, showers and thunderstorms are expected to ramp up, especially from mid-afternoon into the evening, with the primary trouble window running from late afternoon through about 10 p.m. Stronger storms could bring wind gusts up to 30 mph, and a few isolated strong to severe cells may pack damaging winds, small hail or even a brief tornado.
Afternoon And Evening Storm Threat
Scattered to widespread showers are on tap today with highs near 74°F and rain chances hovering around 80% for many neighborhoods. A cold front sliding through the region will act like a storm highway, helping organize a line of thunderstorms that could deliver damaging wind gusts and quick bursts of hail. Localized heavy downpours are possible overnight, although forecasters are not expecting widespread flooding this time. That guidance comes from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston.
Morning Fog And Marine Conditions
Areas of fog, including some locally dense patches, lingered through sunrise along the coast and around Galveston Bay. Visibility can tank without much warning in low-lying spots, so drivers should slow down and stick with low beams. Out on the water, mariners can expect building seas up to around 7 feet and should keep an eye out for small-craft advisories. Coastal visibility may drop to 2 to 3 nautical miles near Matagorda Bay. Dense fog advisories were posted early this morning for portions of the coastal counties, but conditions should gradually improve once winds pick up later today.
Commute And Outdoor Plans
The morning fog is poised to drag on some early commutes, and the window for stronger storms lines up a little too neatly with the evening rush and Valentine’s outings. Outdoor dinners, patio drinks and park plans could get rough, so it is smart to have an indoor backup. If you have tickets or reservations, build in extra travel time and keep an eye on local alerts. This pattern was flagged in a Valentine’s weekend storms loom update earlier this week that urged readers to track the weekend forecast. Keep your phone charged and make sure you have a reliable way to receive emergency alerts in case storms ramp up quickly.
What To Expect Sunday And Beyond
Once the front finally shoves offshore late tonight, skies should clear from west to east and Sunday is expected to turn mostly sunny with a high near 72°F and northwest winds near 10 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Drier and warmer weather builds into next week, with highs heading back into the mid 70s and then the low 80s by midweek. If you are planning boating trips or outdoor events later in the week, it is still a good idea to check updated forecasts before heading out.
How To Prepare
On the roads, slow it down in fog, give slick or waterlogged pavement extra room and consider securing or bringing in outdoor furniture and decorations before the wind cranks up. If you are planning to be on the water, wait until marine advisories expire before launching. For evening plans, keep an indoor option ready to go and monitor official updates. For the latest watches, warnings and detailed forecast information, follow local officials and the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston.
