AP Photo/Eric Gay
A cyclist tops a hill at sunset, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Texas.
After cool weather earlier this week, temperatures this weekend could reach record levels in the Houston area for early spring, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
High temperatures are expected to reach up to 85 degrees in Houston on Friday, with areas further north forecast to reach 88 degrees, according to the weather service’s Houston/Galveston office. Temperatures for Saturday are expected to reach a high of 89 in Houston, while areas such as Brenham and College Station to the northwest are forecast to reach the low 90s.
NWS meteorologist Janice Maldonado told Houston Public Media on Friday morning that a high-pressure system from the west will be ushering in these above-average temperatures.
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“Every time that we have these strong systems, that means that we will have dry conditions, but also heat,” Maldonado said. “It’s going to continue over the next several days.”
In addition to the heat, Maldonado said Houstonians can also expect fog to develop in the mornings through Sunday. She also said there is a potential for Houston to break into the 90s.
“It looks like we may head now towards a warmer pattern over the next few weeks,” she said. “And also today is the first day of spring — astronomical spring. So, now it looks like everything is going to look even warmer. … This is actually the first 90-degree day of the year, if that verifies.”
If the area reaches 90 degrees over the weekend, Maldonado said it would be a record as the region typically doesn’t reach the 90s until late April or early May.
Provided/NWS Houston/Galveston
Higher than average temperatures are expected to continue into next week.
At Bush Intercontinental Airport, which has been used for the weather service’s Houston records since 1969, the record high for March 20 is 90 degrees, set in 1907. The record heat for March 21 and March 22 is 87 and 89 degrees, respectively.
Maldonado also said dryer conditions can increase the risk of fires.
“The only good part of this is that winds are going to be weaker, are going to be light, so the ingredients are not strong enough to have any high fire danger,” she said. “It’s going to be a low to medium risk, but it’s still there. So, it’s better to keep practicing caution with fire.”
Above-average temperatures are expected to last into next week, according to the weather service.
Houston Public Media’s Matt Harab contributed to this report.