HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We have transitioned to a more typical summertime weather pattern as a heat ridge builds over Texas. We’ve also got a big batch of Saharan dust on the way that should bring a hazy sky to Southeast Texas Tuesday through Thursday.
We expect temperatures to barely cool off below 80 degrees Tuesday morning. Once the sun rises, temperatures will quickly warm toward 90 by noon time. There’s still enough moisture around for isolated showers in the afternoon. They could get briefly heavy, but they will be small and move quickly. If you cross paths with one, you’ll likely pick up less than a quarter of an inch. Temperatures will peak in the mid 90s with the heat index above 105. You might notice the sky turning more hazy gray late in the day as the Saharan dust cloud blows in.
How long will the drier weather last?
About a week. After the combination of the heat dome and Saharan dust keeps the forecast dry much of this week, a slight pattern shift will welcome back the opportunity for some of those pop up showers and storms Sunday and Monday of next week. That rain chances comes compliments of another summer front moving into the state.
What should we know about the Saharan dust this week?
First, it’s going to keep the tropics quiet in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico this week. Second, Southeast Texas is going to have a hazy sky Wednesday and Thursday. This could be one of the thicker plumes of dust we’ve seen this year too, so those sensitive to particulate matter might want to limit strenuous outdoor activities.
What are you tracking in the tropics?
There is a tropical wave we are tracking over the central Atlantic that has a medium chance of development over the next 7 days. Head to our daily Tropical Updatepage for the latest on what’s happening in the tropics.
13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
