Houston experienced a significant heatwave this week, with temperatures soaring to 101 degrees Fahrenheit at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday.
This extreme heat was exacerbated by a high-pressure system and unusually dry air, which allowed for a more efficient warming process.
During the mid- to late-morning in the city, dewpoints dipped into the 50s, making the sweltering conditions slightly more tolerable, though still intensely hot.
However, the forecast indicates a shift as tropical moisture moves into the region, which is expected to bring increased chances of rain and humidity as the weekend approaches.
Thursday dawned with early signs of rain, particularly on the eastern side of Galveston Bay in areas like Anahuac and Bolivar Peninsula.
As the day progresses, these showers are likely to move into the southern half of Houston, primarily south of I-10.
While additional showers may develop throughout the day, overall rain chances are low at about 30 percent.
The increase in cloud cover and moisture is expected to moderate high temperatures today, bringing them down to the upper 90s across most locations.
Looking ahead to Friday, partly to mostly sunny skies will prevail, with temperatures remaining in the mid- to upper 90s.
Scattered showers are anticipated throughout the day, with a heightened risk of stronger thunderstorms potentially developing in the afternoon or evening.
People enjoying the outdoors should remain aware of the possibility of thunderstorms on Friday night, although overnight temperatures will stay warm and humid.
The weekend forecast indicates that conditions will remain mostly sunny, though this is when the best chances for rain are expected.
Saturday is predicted to see intermittent light to moderate showers, while Sunday may bring precipitation to about half of the region.
Rainfall accumulations are expected to be modest, generally ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 inches, but localized areas could see more than 2 inches of rain, possibly leading to isolated street flooding.
High temperatures over the weekend are projected to be in the low- to mid-90s, which should provide some relief from the prior heatwave.
For the upcoming week, August is shaping up to be relatively mild for Houston.
Daytime temperatures are expected to hover in the low- to mid-90s, with generally sunny skies.
However, residents should prepare for a daily chance of showers, primarily driven by the sea breeze, although these are not anticipated to be severe.
The overall consensus for the start of August reflects a preference for milder days without extreme heat or the threat of tropical systems, which many locals view as a small victory.
As for the tropics, conditions remain relatively calm as July draws to a close.
While there are a couple of tropical waves being monitored, none appear poised to develop within the next week.
Overall, Houstonians can feel cautiously optimistic about the weather as they transition into August, a sentiment that has been rare in recent times.
image source from：spacecityweather
