Houston woke up in full sauna mode Friday morning, with mostly cloudy, muggy skies, temperatures sitting around 79°F, and dew points in the mid 70s making it feel every bit as sticky as it sounds. The rest of the day will run hot and mostly dry, with the heat building through the weekend and into next week as southerly flow settles back in.
Today
Clouds should thin by midmorning, giving way to mostly sunny skies and a high near 93°F Friday. Heat index values could top out around 103°F in parts of the metro, while rain chances stay low. A light southeast breeze around 5 to 10 mph may keep coastal spots a bit more tolerable, but inland neighborhoods will do the real roasting. According to NWS Houston/Galveston, any showers that pop up should be isolated with only light rainfall totals.
Weekend And Next Week
A strengthening ridge of high pressure will keep cranking up the thermostat. Afternoon highs should climb into the mid 90s Saturday, around 95°F, and then push into the upper 90s Sunday and through next week, with inland locations flirting with or topping 100°F by early next week. The NWS discussion notes that if humidity cooperates, heat advisories could be needed by Sunday or Monday, so early morning will be the safest window for outdoor work. Overnight lows will linger in the upper 70s, which means the city will not get much of a cooldown after dark.
Marine And Beaches
For those trading concrete for coastline, there is a lingering rip current risk early Friday along area beaches, along with small craft caution across Galveston Bay into the morning hours. Conditions should gradually improve later in the day. If you are heading to the water, check the latest marine forecast and avoid wading into strong surf during the higher risk period.
Heat Safety
Anyone who needs a break from the heat can tap into the city's network of cooling centers. The City of Houston maintains a map of locations and can help arrange transportation by calling 3 1 1 when a heat emergency is officially declared. Visit the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management for cooling center details and heat safety guidance, and try to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the peak afternoon hours.
