If you woke up this morning and looked out at the Houston skyline, you probably saw something rare for January: actual, honest-to-goodness sunshine. No grey "soup" hanging over the 610 loop. No oppressive humidity making your hair do that weird thing. Naturally, the first thing any Houstonian thinks when they see a clear sky is, "Okay, but when does the floor fall out?" We’ve all been burned by that sudden 4:00 PM downpour that turns I-10 into a parking lot.
But here’s the deal for Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Is it going to rain in Houston today? Basically, no.
You can leave the umbrella in the backseat. Most local forecasts, including the data coming out of the National Weather Service and the folks over at Space City Weather, are pointing toward a dry, breezy day. We’re sitting at a near 0% chance of precipitation. After yesterday’s drizzly, dreary mess that barely even registered as "rain" (it was more like being sneezed on by the Gulf of Mexico), today is a total 180.
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Why the Rain is Ghosting Houston Today
The reason your weather app isn't showing any blue blobs over Harris County is a cold front. Not a "pipe-bursting, run-to-H-E-B-for-bread" front, but a weak one that's effectively acting like a giant squeegee for the atmosphere.
Meteorologists like Justin Ballard have noted that while yesterday had that stubborn 40% chance of showers, today is all about the "dry slot." As the front pushes through this afternoon, it’s actually going to warm us up before it cools us down. It sounds counterintuitive, but that’s Texas for you. We’re looking at a high of nearly 68°F or even 70°F in some spots like Sugar Land or Pearland before the northwest winds really kick in.
By tonight, those winds are going to pick up to about 20 or 30 mph. If you’ve got light patio furniture or those empty Amazon boxes on the porch, you might want to move them. It’s going to be clear, but it’s going to be loud.
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The "Dry Front" Phenomenon
Sometimes we get these fronts that have plenty of "push" but zero "moisture."
Since the air behind this front is coming from the interior of the continent rather than the Gulf, there’s just no fuel for rain. It’s like trying to start a campfire with wet matches—except in this case, the matches are bone dry and there’s no wood.
- Morning: 50°F, clear, quiet.
- Afternoon: 66-69°F, sunny, starting to get breezy.
- Evening: 44°F, very windy, still dry.
Looking Ahead: Will the Weekend Stay Dry?
Honestly, if you're planning for the weekend, that's where things get a bit more "Houston-style" uncertain. While today is a lock for being dry, we have another front arriving late Friday into Saturday.
Space City Weather’s Matt Lanza has mentioned that there’s a tiny bit of uncertainty with that second push. We might see a few stray raindrops or—if the upper atmosphere gets weird—some ice pellets (virga) that evaporate before they even hit your windshield. But for the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon prep, the vibe is "cold and dry."
The January Pattern
Typically, Houston in January sees about six "wet" days. We already checked one of those off the list yesterday. The rest of this week looks to be dominated by high pressure, which is meteorologist-speak for "staying dry."
If you are a gardener, the real story isn't the rain—it's the low temperatures coming tonight and tomorrow. We aren't looking at a hard freeze (thank God), but a low of 44°F in the city and potentially high 30s in places like Conroe or The Woodlands means you might want to bring the sensitive potted plants inside just to be safe.
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Actionable Next Steps for Houstonians Today
Since the rain isn't a threat, your focus should be on the wind and the temperature drop.
- Check your tires: The sudden drop from 70°F this afternoon to 44°F tonight can trigger those annoying low-pressure sensors.
- Secure the loose stuff: With 30 mph gusts expected tonight, anything light on your balcony or in your yard is going to end up in your neighbor's yard.
- Dress in layers: You’ll want the light jacket for the 1:00 PM lunch run, but you’ll need the heavy fleece if you’re heading out for dinner or hitting a patio in the Heights tonight.
- Skip the car wash? Actually, with no rain in the forecast for the next 48-72 hours, today is a rare "safe" day to wash the salt and grime off your car without a storm ruining it ten minutes later.
Bottom line: Enjoy the sun. It’s going to be a gorgeous, crisp Texas winter day. No rain, no umbrellas, just a whole lot of wind and a clear view of the stars tonight.