If you’ve lived in Houston for more than five minutes, you know the drill. You leave the house in a light jacket, regret it by noon when the humidity kicks in, and then find yourself frantically covering your hibiscus plants by nightfall. This week is basically the "Greatest Hits" album of Texas weather. We're oscillating between beautiful spring-like afternoons and a legitimate threat of frost that’ll have you digging for that one heavy coat you keep in the back of the closet.
Honestly, the houston weather for this week is a tale of three different fronts. It’s a classic January setup where the Gulf of Mexico tries to invite itself over for a party, only to get kicked out by a dry blast of Canadian air.
The Friday Warm-Up Before the Reality Check
Friday is the outlier. It’s going to be gorgeous, with a high hitting about 72°F. It feels like a gift, right? Enjoy the sun. Soak it in. Because behind that sunshine, a dry cold front is barreling down I-45.
By the time you're heading out for dinner Friday night, the wind will shift. We're looking at southwest winds around 8 mph during the day, but that’s just the preamble. The National Weather Service is already flagging a drop in humidity that’ll make Saturday feel entirely different.
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Saturday’s Sharp Drop and Fire Risks
Saturday is when things get kinda intense. The high only reaches 53°F. That’s a nearly 20-degree drop from the day before.
What’s wilder is the humidity. It’s expected to tank to about 27%. When you combine those dry conditions with north winds gusting at 11 mph, you get "near-critical fire weather conditions." It’s not just cold; it’s parched. Don’t be that person throwing a cigarette butt out the window or starting a brush fire in this.
Sunday morning is the one to watch.
If you’re in Conroe or the Woodlands, you’re looking at a light freeze. Even closer to the city, temperatures will bottom out at 38°F.
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A Quick Peek at the Numbers
- Friday Night: Low of 50°F, turning mostly cloudy.
- Saturday: High of 53°F, lows dipping to 38°F.
- Sunday: Crisp 57°F high, but starts off very chilly.
MLK Day and the Mid-Week Rain Potential
Monday—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—is looking like the "sweet spot" of the week. We’ll see a high of 64°F under clear, sunny skies. It’s perfect for outdoor events or community service projects.
But don't get too comfortable.
Tuesday and Wednesday bring the return of the "gray." Clouds move in as the onshore flow from the Gulf starts pumping moisture back into Southeast Texas. While the first half of the week is bone-dry, Tuesday night introduces a 20% chance of rain.
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By Wednesday and Thursday, we’re looking at a persistent light rain. It’s the kind of weather that isn't a washout but definitely ruins a good hair day. Temperatures will climb back into the upper 60s and 70s by Thursday, Jan 22, so we're right back to that muggy Houston feel we know so well.
Why This Week Actually Matters for Your Garden
We've been in a bit of a severe drought lately. Parts of Kingwood and the south side haven't seen a real "soaker" in weeks. While the rain chances on Wednesday and Thursday are only around 20%, every little bit helps. Space City Weather’s Eric Berger noted that we could actually see between 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain through the end of next week.
That’s not enough to cause flooding, but it’s enough to keep the foundation of your house from cracking and your grass from giving up entirely.
Actionable Steps for Houstonians:
- Friday Night: Bring in the sensitive potted plants. Even if it doesn't hit 32°F in your specific backyard, the wind chill on Saturday will be bitey.
- Vehicle Check: Check your tire pressure. These 20-degree swings are notorious for triggering that "low tire" light on your dashboard.
- Fire Safety: Avoid outdoor burning on Saturday. The combination of low humidity and north winds is a recipe for disaster.
- Plan for Rain: If you have outdoor plans for the middle of next week, have a "Plan B" for Wednesday and Thursday mornings when those light showers are most likely.
The houston weather for this week proves that winter in the Bayou City is less about snow and more about how many times you can change your thermostat in 48 hours. Stay warm this weekend, and keep an umbrella handy for the return of the humidity mid-week.