Houston is starting the day warm, sticky and already a bit uncomfortable, with clear, muggy skies and temperatures in the low 70s. The cooldown will not last long. Heat is set to ramp up quickly, with highs headed for the low 90s this afternoon. A little patchy fog may hang around very early, but forecasters expect sunshine and strong warming by midmorning. Light winds and bright sun mean fairly stagnant air, which is enough to nudge ozone levels higher and trigger air quality concerns.
Afternoon Heat And What To Expect
By peak heating, the high should land near 92°F, with southwest winds around 0 to 10 mph that shift to the south at about 5 to 10 mph later in the day. If you are planning to be outside, the smarter move is to aim for the morning or the evening and keep some water close during the midday sizzle. According to NWS Houston/Galveston, today is likely to be the warmest day of the week.
Ozone Action Day: Air Quality Alert
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone Action Day for Thursday for the Houston–Galveston–Brazoria region. Elevated ozone can aggravate breathing problems for children, older adults and anyone with asthma or other respiratory issues. Officials advise cutting back on vehicle use, skipping drive-through lines, postponing gas-powered yard work and easing up on strenuous outdoor exercise in order to help limit pollution. For more details and practical tips, check the local air quality forecast from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Weekend Outlook And Storm Chances
Humidity will creep higher heading into the weekend. Overnight lows are expected to hold in the low to mid 70s, while daytime highs settle in the upper 80s. Rain and thunderstorm chances start to climb early next week. Monday carries the best chance for scattered storms, with the odds rising further by midweek. According to NWS Houston/Galveston, strengthening onshore flow will pull in more moisture, which will help fuel those showers and storms.
Marine Conditions And Commute Notes
Onshore winds will pick up tonight and into the weekend, pushing seas into the 3 to 6 foot range and raising the risk of rip currents and small-craft problems. Water levels may reach around 3.0 feet at high tide on Saturday and about 3.5 feet on Sunday. Boaters and beachgoers should take it easy, check the latest marine forecasts and keep a close eye on conditions before heading out. On land, south winds could gust up to 25 mph Friday afternoon, which might cause some issues for light vehicles and outdoor plans.
If you have outdoor plans, consider shifting them to cooler hours, ease off heavy exertion during the hottest part of the day and keep an eye on updates from NWS Houston/Galveston and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as conditions evolve through the weekend.
