Challenging record highs this week, but colder weather in the forecast

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It feels more like mid October or late April than it does early December. A heat ridge parked over the Gulf of Mexico will keep our highs and lows running about 20 degrees above average for most of this week.

All that warm, humid air means more sea fog is likely overnight, but stronger winds will keep it from getting as dense as observed in days past. Where it’s not foggy, expect low clouds to linger through most of the morning.

Overnight lows will only dip into the upper 60s, which is where are average highs run at this time of year. Once the sun breaks up the clouds Tuesday afternoon, temperatures will soar back into the low 80s, challenging record highs.

How long will the warm air and sea fog stick around?

Pretty much the entire week. A cool front will try to push into Southeast Texas Friday, but at this time we predict it will stay just north of Houston. We will then have to wait until Saturday night for our next chance to have a cold front blow in some cooler air. Sea fog potential will also persist until we get drier air to blow in behind a front. Stronger winds this week and warmer water temperatures than last week should keep the fog from getting as dense as observed in days past.

How will the front impact our weekend weather?

Ahead of the front it should be warm and humid again on Saturday. The frontal timing is still uncertain, but it will likely hold off until Saturday night. There will be enough unstable air and wind shear to support strong thunderstorms when it blows in. Some showers could linger into Sunday morning. Temperatures behind this front will only drop lows into the 50s and highs into the 70.

When could we get a stronger cold front?

We are seeing signs that next week’s weather pattern could support the arrival of a stronger cold front on Tuesday, December 13th. This cold front has the potential to drop highs into the 50s and 60s with lows in the 30s and 40s.