Houston Weather Update: Cooler Air Arrives, Ozone Pollution Concerns

Houston, Texas, is experiencing a significant shift in weather patterns, with cooler air moving into the region. According to recent forecasts, Wednesday is expected to be the coolest morning of the week, with widespread readings in the mid-to-upper 50s. However, highs will still reach around 90 degrees, necessitating appropriate dressing for the day.

The cooler air is a welcome respite from the toasty week that has characterized October so far. Ozone pollution remains a concern in Southeast Texas, particularly in Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria counties. An Ozone Pollution Watch is in place through Thursday, with ozone levels typically peaking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Temperatures have been rocketing up into the mid-90s this afternoon, well above the average high of 87 degrees and close to the record of 99 degrees from 1900. A dry northeasterly wind has kept rain chances out of the picture, resulting in ideal viewing conditions to see the International Space Station fly over Houston this evening.

The lower humidity is expected to persist until Friday as the region gets grazed by tropical moisture rotating around a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite minimal rainfall over the past two to three weeks, much of Southeast Texas now shows abnormally dry conditions on the regional drought monitor. Houston has only seen about a quarter of an inch of rain over the past two weeks.

A front is penciled in for next Monday or Tuesday, which should deliver a more noticeable temperature drop with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. This front is expected to pass through mostly dry, providing some relief from the current heat wave.

In addition to the local weather, an area in the Caribbean has a moderate chance of tropical development, which could impact the southern Gulf this week. The deep tropics and Atlantic are also very active right now with storms spinning in the middle of the ocean.

Ozone Pollution Concerns

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria area. Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution in these areas today. Residents can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking their lunch to work, avoiding drive-through lanes, conserving energy, and keeping their vehicle properly tuned.

Hourly and 10-Day Forecasts

According to hourly forecasts, Houston will experience clear skies with temperatures ranging from 74F at 1 AM to 90F by 2 PM. The 10-day forecast indicates that temperatures will remain in the low-90s throughout the week, with a slight drop expected by the end of the week.

For more detailed weather updates and forecasts, residents can rely on local news sources such as ABC13, FOX 26 Houston, and KHOU. These stations provide live radar, satellite imagery, and severe weather alerts to keep the community informed.