Record-challenging heat is expected during the final weekend of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Highs could approach 90 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday – an unusually warm stretch that could challenge records
While triple-digit temperatures are supposed to be still months away, this weekend’s warmth is an early signal of what’s ahead. Here’s when Houston typically records its first 100-degree day.
Houston nears 90 degrees this weekend
Houston is headed for an unusually, possibly record-setting stretch to close out the rodeo weekend. Records for both days – 87 degrees on Saturday (1907) and 89 degrees on Sunday (1916) – could be tied or broken.
CLIMATE OUTLOOK: What a rare “Super El Niño” could mean for Texas winter weather and the Atlantic hurricane season
The same pattern is driving unusually early heat across parts of Texas and the Southwest.
Afternoon highs will climb well above normal – by as much as 10 to 15 degrees – pushing many areas into the upper 80s and flirting with the low 90s. The heat will be fueled by a dry pattern and a strong ridge of high atmospheric pressure overhead, keeping skies mostly clear and humidity relatively low.
Mornings will stay comfortably mild, generally in the upper 50s to mid-60s, unlike the muggy summer mornings that await us in the future.
The heat dome pattern begins to ease slightly late next week as a weak front approaches. Temperatures fall back into the 70s and 80s by next weekend. Despite the cold front late next week, rain chances remain minimal.
Houston temperatures Saturday will be solidly in the 80s by 4 p.m., according to the National Blend of Models, a composite weather forecast model. (National Blend of Models/Pivotal Weather)
What to know about heat safety
With temperatures climbing well above normal this weekend, long hours at the rodeo could increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are among the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the United States, with symptoms ranging from heavy sweating and dizziness to confusion and fainting.
HEAT SAFETY: What Texans should know to avoid heat-related illnesses – and how to stay safe in extreme heat.
To stay safe, drink plenty of water, wear lightweight clothing and take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Try to avoid prolonged time in the afternoon heat, and check on children, older adults and others who may be more vulnerable.
When Houston normally reaches 100 degrees
Houston’s first 100-degree day typically arrives around July 19, though the timing can vary widely from year to year.
In most years, Houston records fewer than 10 days of triple-digit heat. Last year saw eight days at Bush Intercontinental Airport, well below the 45 days in 2023 and far from the record 46 days set during the extreme heat of 2011 – which also brought the earliest 100-degree day on June 2.
Historically, only a handful of years have reached double-digit totals, though many of those have occurred in the past 25 years, reflecting a trend toward hotter summers.
This article originally published at Houston temperatures could hit 90 this weekend. Here are some heat safety tips to remember.