After a spring fling, winter returns for a dramatic encore this week

Good morning. Following a warm and humid weekend in the 80s, a cold front has moved through most of the Houston metro area overnight, and will soon push off the coast. This will set the stage for much colder weather this week. Then, just as we’re warming up, an even stronger front arrives on Friday. A freeze is probable for part of the Houston area, and possibly even the city itself.

Monday

Temperatures have fallen to about 50 degrees for inland areas this morning, and this colder air is moving south. Temperatures should stay in the 50s today for most of the region. Light rain is possible through the morning hours, but any showers should end by this afternoon as drier air moves into the region. The story for today will be gusty northerly winds, with brief bursts possibly exceeding 30 mph before conditions calm down somewhat this evening. Overnight lows should drop into the upper 40s for most of Houston, but not much further as skies remain overcast.

If you’re headed out to see Luke Bryan tonight at the Houston rodeo, wear something warm. Temperatures should be around 50 degrees before the show this evening, but winds probably will still be somewhat gusty. I don’t think precipitation will be an issue, however. Temperatures will be about the same after the show.

Tuesday

Tuesday won’t be much nicer. Highs will probably only reach the mid-50s or so, and we’ll add rain to the mix. Essentially there will be a thin layer of colder air at the surface, with warmer air riding up on this thin layer. This warmer air should lead to the development of fairly widespread showers, and a few thunderstorms, on Tuesday morning. Accumulations will probably range from 0.25 to 0.75 inch for most, but a few areas may see somewhat higher totals during the late morning and afternoon hours. Lows Tuesday night will drop into the mid-40s for most.

Wednesday

We can’t rule out some additional rain showers on Wednesday, but for most of us this should just be a partly to mostly cloudy day, with highs around 60 degrees. Clearing skies will allow overnight lows Wednesday night to drop into the low- to mid-40s.

Thursday

This should be a warmer day, with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs perhaps around 70 degrees. If you had to pick one day this week for outdoor activities, Thursday is definitely the day.

Friday

Friday will start out warm, but at some point a strong cold front will barrel through. At this point I’d guess the timing is around noon, but there’s definitely some wiggle room in that. Some brief showers are possible with the front, but as dry air blows in any rain chances should quickly end as skies clear out. Lows Friday night will plunge, possibly into the mid-30s in Houston, possibly to freezing. It’s going to be fairly close, and at this point it’s impossible to say where the freezing line will be.

Saturday, Sunday, and beyond

Saturday should be sunny and cold, with highs likely in the 50s. Expect another cold night, with temperatures probably similar to Friday night. But by Sunday we should be warming back up, with highs in the 60s. Most of next week, in fact, should be in the 70s give or take.