Houston weather lately seems to have us running on this hamster wheel of heat and humidity, with no significant changes in immediate sight. That could be good news, though, for folks with outdoor plans in Southeast Texas for this year’s Fourth of July celebration marking the nation’s 250th birthday.
Here’s what Saturday is shaping up to look like, according to the National Weather Service:
Before sunrise: Friday night temperatures, buoyed by warm southerly winds, will stay rather balmy, with overnight in Houston mostly in the 80s, before bottoming out only around 78 degrees before dawn Saturday.
7 a.m. to noon: By 8 a.m., morning temperatures in Houston will be back in the 80s, forecasters said. Under sunny skies, daytime temps will likely cross the 90-degree mark just before noon.
Noon to 5 p.m.: Starting around 3 p.m., Houston air temperatures on Independence Day will peak at 96 degrees. But elevated humidity levels will make those temps will feel 10 degrees hotter and heat index values could be as high as 106.
The National Weather Service’s extended forecast for Houston calls for triple-digit heat index values, or humidity-driven “feels like” temperatures, that will be about 10 degrees hotter than actual air temps. (National Weather Service)
Across Southeast Texas, the heat and humidity combo in some places could reach dangerous levels. Here are some projected high temperatures for July 4:
Baytown – 91 degrees; heat index: 103 degrees
College Station – 96 degrees; heat index: 105 degrees
Conroe – 96 degrees; heat index: 107 degrees
Crockett – 94 degrees; heat index: 103 degrees
Galveston – 88 degrees; heat index: 100 degrees
Katy – 95 degrees; heat index: 105 degrees
Livingston – 95 degrees; heat index: 106 degrees
Heat safety and the risk of heat-related illness continues to be the main concern for the weather service, especially because some spots in Southeast Texas could experience high heat index values between 108 and 110 degree (or 42 to 43 degrees Celsius for our World Cup international visitors).
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“With this weekend doubling as a holiday weekend and a match day, consideration for a heat advisory will need to be maintained,” the weather service said in a forecast bulletin posted online Thursday. “If you plan to spend the day outdoors, make sure you wear light cloths, apply sunscreen and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Also take plenty of breaks from the heat by seeking shade/AC.”
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Under mostly clear skies, Houston temperatures will make a slow slide from the mid-90s down into the mid-80s. But even after most fireworks have been fired around 10 p.m., nighttime temperatures in the city could still be in the upper 80s, only dropping to around 86 degrees.
10 p.m. to overnight: Late into the evening and through the wee hours, Houston temperatures will drop to around 78 degrees again before sunrise on Sunday.
Sunday: Rain chances return to the Houston forecast on Sunday, when the city has a slight 20% chance of showers after 1 p.m. under otherwise mostly sunny skies, forecasters said.
“Low chances for rain return Friday and Saturday, but scattered showers and storms will be possible Sunday and Monday afternoons as the mid-level ridge (of high air pressure) looks to break down over the eastern U.S.,” the weather service said.
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This article originally published at How hot will Houston get on the Fourth of July? Here’s your temperature timeline..