HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Storm chances drop to 20% on Tuesday as Saharan haze continues to linger over Southeast Texas. This trend of hotter and drier afternoons will continue through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
We are starting Tuesday off warm, with temperatures in the 70s. We are also seeing Saharan dust overhead, which is causing the sky to look a bit hazy. That’s the Saharan haze that will remain overhead for much of the week.
Despite the dry, dusty air, there will still be enough moisture for a 20% chance of a late afternoon downpour. High temperatures will reach the mid-90s, with heat indices between 100 and 105.
How long does this Saharan dust stick around?
Two plumes of Saharan dust are impacting us this week. The first dust cloud is already here and will impact Houston through Wednesday. The second dust cloud is moving in for the Fourth of July. This Saharan dust will lead to a hazy gray sky, vibrant sunrises and sunsets, and a reduction in air quality for those who are sensitive to particulate matter, allergic to the dust, or have underlying respiratory issues.
What’s the outlook for July 4th and the Freedom Over Texas fireworks show?
At this time, it looks dry but hot! Temperatures will peak in the upper 90s with heat index values well above 100. Heat advisories are possible, and that heat will stick around for the entire weekend!
What’s happening in the tropics?
Tropical Storm Barry fizzled out over Mexico, and now we are watching a zone of potential development near Florida. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.
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