Houston is waking up to patchy morning fog and building toward another hot, sticky afternoon today, Thursday, August 6, with highs near 96°F falling back to around 91°F once a stray shower rolls through, and heat index values climbing as high as 105°F — so wrap up outdoor plans early and lean on hydration gear for the rest of the day.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office says patchy fog is possible between 7 and 8 a.m. before skies turn sunny, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and light south wind at 5 to 10 mph, gusting to 20 mph. Forecasters note a ridge over the Southwest will keep things fairly quiet through much of next week, though slightly better rain chances are creeping in from the east and south as deeper moisture works back inland.
Best Window To Be Outside
If you’re mowing the lawn, walking Buffalo Bayou, or hitting the trails at Hermann Park, aim for before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. CT, once the sun angle drops and any isolated seabreeze storms have had a chance to fire and fade. With heat index readings near 105°F, Memorial Park’s jogging loop and the Galleria-area sidewalks are rough going between noon and 5 p.m. CT.
Rain, Wind, Or Heat Risk
No severe weather is expected — this is garden-variety Gulf Coast heat with a low-end, isolated shower chance along the seabreeze, capable of less than a tenth of an inch of rain. Winds stay light out of the south at 5 to 10 mph, so patio furniture is safe, but an insulated water bottle and quick access to shade matter more today than any rain chance.
What To Wear Or Bring
Breathable fabrics win today. Think men’s sport sandals or a women’s swimsuit if you’re headed to a pool, quick dry swim trunks for the kids, and an insulated tumbler 30oz to keep drinks cold wherever you land. Planning a fishing trip along the bayou this weekend? Our outdoor gear deals page has a UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie for Just $5 worth a look before the sun gets to you.
Around Town This Week
Tonight, the John Mellencamp Dancing Words Tour show at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus at Reliant Stadium both run in evening or air-conditioned conditions, so today’s heat won’t be a factor — get tickets on SeatGeek or find tickets on StubHub if you’re headed out. The Houston Texans hold training camp at Reliant Stadium Friday and Saturday, August 7-8, and with Don Toliver’s Octane Tour landing at Toyota Center - TX on August 11, it’s a good time to grab a Don Toliver t-shirt or official team gear on Fanatics for the season ahead.
Tonight’s Dinner
With temperatures still near 91°F at dinnertime, skip the stove — a cold Thai noodle salad, a build-your-own wrap bar, or smoothie bowls are the move tonight. A high-powered blender makes quick work of smoothie bowls, and that insulated tumbler 30oz keeps drinks cold on the patio. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Expect a similar script Friday: highs near 95°F, heat index near 103°F, and another slim afternoon shower chance, mainly between 1 and 4 p.m. CT. NWS forecasters expect heights to slowly ease into the weekend, trimming heat stress slightly while rain chances tick up into early next week for the eastern and southern parts of the region. For the latest updates, check the full Houston weather forecast.
