Houston rolled into Saturday, May 16, under clear skies, mid-70s temperatures and air that already felt like a wet blanket. Around 5:40 a.m. CDT, observations showed about 74°F with a dew point near 68°F, a combo that makes the morning feel muggy before breakfast. Southeast winds are sliding back in and will run the show through the weekend, especially along the coast.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Mostly sunny skies are on tap today with a high near 87°F inland and highs in the low to mid 80s at Galveston. Southeast winds will blow around 5 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph by late morning and through the afternoon, leaving the shoreline breezier and the bay on the choppy side. If you are planning outdoor setups, be ready for gusts that can tug at tents, umbrellas and any lightweight gear.
Late Night Showers Possible
After midnight, the atmosphere may get a little more interesting. There is a slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms after about 1 a.m., with lows holding near 77°F. Overall rain chances stay low, near 20 percent, but any storms that do form overnight could drop brief heavy downpours. Sunday stays warm and mostly cloudy, with those gusty southeast winds hanging on and spotty storms still in play.
Midweek Rain Outlook
Rain chances step up Monday and into the middle of the week as a frontal boundary edges toward the region. Scattered afternoon storms become more likely Tuesday into Wednesday. The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston expects about 2 to 4 inches of rain across parts of southeast Texas over the next seven days, with most of that arriving midweek. That amount could lead to localized ponding on roads and some slow-going for Tuesday and Wednesday commutes.
Plan And Safety Tips
If you are eyeing yard work or a quick beach run, early morning hours are your best bet to dodge the stronger afternoon gusts and the small late night storm threat. For outdoor events, keep an eye on updated forecasts and have a backup plan in case storms do pop up. Boaters and anyone heading out to the Gulf should secure loose gear, check the latest marine forecasts and lean on flags and lifeguards as the most reliable on-the-sand warning system. Forecasters will keep tracking the midweek setup as that frontal boundary creeps closer.
Beach And Marine Impacts
A prolonged onshore flow will keep seas at moderate levels, around 5 feet, and has triggered a Beach Hazards Statement through Monday morning for Gulf-facing beaches. Beachgoers should be on alert for strong rip currents and follow posted beach flags. For more details on what to do if you get caught in one, see the NWS rip current safety page. Small craft operators should use extra caution overnight and into early next week while the gusty conditions continue.
