Honestly, if you live here, you already know. The air doesn't just sit; it weighs on you. It's that thick, "I-can-taste-the-salt-from-the-Gulf" kind of air. People talk about Houston like it’s one big swamp, but the weather South Houston TX deals with is its own specific beast. You're closer to the ship channel, closer to the refineries, and definitely closer to the moisture that turns a simple morning walk into a personal steam room session.
Basically, we’re the humidity capital of the humidity capital.
Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, it's actually pretty decent out. We’re sitting at 65°F right now, though it feels more like 73°F because, well, the humidity is already at 66%. It’s sunny, which is a nice break, but don't let the "sunny" label fool you into thinking it's crisp. With a southwest wind at 11 mph, it’s just moving the warm air around. It feels more like late spring than mid-January.
The Real January Reality
Most of the country is digging out of snow right now. We're just trying to figure out if we need a light jacket or a literal poncho. Tonight is going to stay cloudy with a low of 47°F, but keep your eyes on tomorrow. Saturday is dropping to a high of 53°F and a low of 33°F. That’s a massive swing. One day you’re in flip-flops, the next you’re worrying about your pipes.
🔗 Read more: Monroe Central High School Ohio: What Local Families Actually Need to Know
That’s South Houston for you.
It’s the "urban rain effect" in action. A 2025 study from UT Austin actually confirmed what we've all suspected: Houston gets about 5 inches more rain than the rural areas around us. Why? Because our skyscrapers and concrete literally squeeze the clouds like a sponge. In South Houston, we’re right in the splash zone.
Why the 2026 Flood Maps Matter
If you own a house near Berry Bayou or Saltwater Ditch, you’ve probably heard the rumors. The 2026 FEMA flood maps are finally rolling out. For years, people relied on maps from 2007—pre-Harvey data that was basically useless. Now, the 100-year floodplain is expanding from 150,000 to 200,000 acres across Harris County.
💡 You might also like: What Does a Stoner Mean? Why the Answer Is Changing in 2026
If your neighborhood moves from "optional" to "mandatory" for flood insurance, your mortgage company isn't going to ask; they're just going to demand it.
- MAAPnext is the program everyone’s talking about.
- It uses high-precision LiDAR scans (fancy lasers) to see where water actually goes.
- Areas like Braeswood and the fringes of the Sims Bayou watershed are seeing the biggest shifts.
It’s not just about the big hurricanes anymore. It’s the "nuisance flooding." You know the kind—where a random Tuesday afternoon thunderstorm dumps three inches in an hour and suddenly Spencer Highway is a lake.
Survival Tips for the 77587 Lifestyle
You can't change the weather South Houston TX throws at you, but you can stop it from ruining your week. First, check your car battery. The heat-to-cold swings we’re seeing this week (from 74°F today down to 33°F tomorrow night) are absolute battery killers. If your car struggled to start this morning, Saturday night’s freeze will finish it off.
📖 Related: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
Also, let’s talk about the "muggy" factor.
We get about 7 months of "oppressive" humidity levels. That’s not an exaggeration; that’s the data from Climate Central. In South Houston, our average humidity in January stays around 71%. It makes the cold feel wetter and the heat feel heavier.
What to Expect Next
Looking at the 10-day outlook, things stay pretty volatile. Monday the 19th warms back up to 64°F, but by next Wednesday, the 21st, we’re looking at a 45% chance of light rain and a humidity jump to 81%. That’s the "wet-cold" that gets into your bones.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the preliminary FEMA maps immediately if you live near the ship channel or Berry Bayou. You have a 90-day window to appeal if they’ve mapped you into a high-risk zone incorrectly.
- Drain your hoses before Saturday night. A 33°F low isn't a deep freeze, but it's enough to crack a cheap plastic nozzle if water is trapped inside.
- Update your emergency kit with fresh batteries and a printed list of local high-water spots to avoid—relying on GPS during a flash flood is a gamble you don't want to take.