Houston woke up Wednesday to a shallow blanket of sea fog, with temperatures stuck near 70°F at the airport and across most of the metro. Visibility dropped to about a quarter mile in parts of the Galveston Bay entrance, slowing coastal commutes and ferry runs. The fog is expected to thin by late morning while highs climb into the upper 70s to around 81°F away from the immediate coast.
Dense Fog And Marine Slowdowns
According to the National Weather Service Houston-Galveston, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in place for the upper Galveston Bay and adjacent nearshore waters through 10 a.m. CST. Mariners are urged to delay nonessential departures and to rely on radar and proper fog signals if they are already underway. Local webcams and buoy reports show the thickest fog hanging near the bay entrance and the lower portions of Galveston Bay.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By this afternoon, southeast winds will pick up to around 5 to 15 mph, with gusts that could reach 25 mph. It will feel breezier even as temperatures push into the low 80s inland and the mid 70s right along the coast. We covered the start of this warm, humid stretch yesterday in Gulf Fog Turns Houston's Morning Drive Into a Slow Crawl, and forecasters say this pattern is likely to hold through Friday.
Weekend Rain Risk
Highs near 81°F today will give way to increasing rain chances late in the week and into the weekend. Showers and thunderstorms look most likely Saturday into Sunday, with localized heavy totals possible near a stalled frontal boundary. The National Weather Service Houston-Galveston notes that the setup carries enough moisture for pockets of heavy downpours, although widespread heavy rain is not a sure thing.
How To Handle The Morning Fog
If you are heading out, give yourself extra time, use low-beam headlights and ease off the gas whenever visibility drops. Bridges and bay crossings are prime spots for fog to thicken suddenly. Boaters should think about postponing nonessential trips until mid-morning, and anyone who must be on the water should make sure navigation lights and sound signals are ready before casting off.
