It is Tuesday, January 13, 2026. If you’ve stepped outside in the Bayou City today, you probably felt that strange, heavy dampness that usually means a downpour is imminent. But look at the radar. It's teasing us. Most of what you see on those colorful weather maps right now is actually virga—essentially ghost rain that evaporates before it even kisses the pavement. Honestly, it’s typical Houston. All the humidity, none of the payoff.
What to expect from the weather in houston tonight
The weather in houston tonight is going to be chilly but remarkably quiet. If you have plans in Midtown or you're heading out to catch the lights at Rice Village, bring a jacket. It's not "Arctic blast" cold, but it’s definitely "Houston cold," which we all know hits different because of the moisture in the air.
We are looking at a low of around 47°F.
The clouds that have been hanging over us like a wet blanket all afternoon are going to stick around for a while. However, as we move into the late-night hours, those clouds should start to thin out. By the time most of us are asleep, the sky will transition to "clear with periodic clouds."
The Nitty-Gritty Numbers for Tonight
- Low Temperature: Approximately 47°F (8°C).
- Precipitation: Only a 10% chance of rain overnight. Basically, the rain chances are dying.
- Wind: Light and variable, mostly coming from the West at about 6 mph.
- Humidity: Climbing back up to 74% as the air cools.
It’s a massive shift from what we saw just a few days ago. Remember last week? On January 8th and 9th, parts of Houston County saw record-breaking rainfall. Some spots got over 2 inches in 24 hours. That’s a lot for January. Tonight, though, we are firmly in a "dry-ish" pattern.
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The "Virga" Problem and Why Your App is Lying
You might see "Light Rain" on your phone's lock screen. You might even see green blobs on the local news radar. But if you walk outside, your hair is staying dry. This is because of that upper-level low pressure system passing to our west.
Meteorologist Eric Berger over at Space City Weather noted this morning that the air near the surface is actually quite dry. Even though the clouds are full of water, that moisture is hitting a wall of dry air and vanishing. It's a meteorological tease.
By tonight, that lift from the upper-level low moves eastward. As it gets absorbed into a larger trough over the eastern U.S., our local air stabilizes. That's why the 45% chance of rain we had this afternoon drops to almost nothing by midnight.
Looking Ahead: A Front is Lurking
Tonight is the calm before a minor shift. While we enjoy the 47°F low, a cold front is actually timing itself for Wednesday afternoon.
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This isn't a "prepare your pipes" kind of front. It’s more of a "wind shift" event. Once that front crosses the coast tomorrow, the winds are going to kick up from the North-Northwest. By Thursday morning, we might even see some Low Water Advisories in the bays because the wind will literally be pushing the water out of the ship channel.
What This Means for Your Routine
- Commuters: Roads will be dry tonight. No need to worry about the usual I-10 hydroplaning.
- Pet Owners: 47°F is cool. If your dog lives outside, maybe bring them into the laundry room or the garage.
- Gardeners: Your plants are fine. We aren't anywhere near freezing tonight.
The Bigger Picture: El Niño and La Niña
You've probably heard the chatter. We’ve been stuck in a La Niña pattern since mid-October. Usually, that means warmer and drier winters for us in Texas. But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just dropped an update today.
They are saying La Niña is likely on its way out.
We might see a transition to El Niño later this year. Why does that matter for you tonight? Well, El Niño years usually bring a much more active storm track across the South. If that transition happens, our "ghost rain" tonight might become very real, very heavy flooding by next winter. For now, enjoy the break.
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Tonight is actually perfect "patio weather" if you have one of those outdoor heaters. It’s crisp. It’s quiet. It’s a rare moment where Houston isn't trying to drown us or melt us.
If you're planning for the rest of the week, keep that heavier coat handy for Thursday morning. The wind chill behind tomorrow's front is going to make the 40s feel like the 30s. But for tonight, just grab a hoodie and enjoy the clear-ish skies.
Check your tire pressure in the morning. These 20-degree swings between day and night usually trigger those annoying "low air" sensors.
Next Steps:
- Double-check your local radar before heading out, just in case a stray shower defies the dry air.
- Prepare for a wind shift tomorrow afternoon if you work near the Port or the Galveston Bay area.
- Keep an eye on the Wednesday night lows, as they will likely dip a few degrees lower than tonight's 47°F.