Houston Weather: After a 35-day dry spell, rain has made its way back to Houston, with the much-anticipated arrival of showers bringing cooler temperatures and setting the stage for a potentially wet Halloween. With trick-or-treaters across the Houston metro area on high alert, a cold front expected Thursday evening could bring scattered downpours, just in time for Halloween festivities.
Halloween Storm Timeline for Houston
Houston’s cold front will roll in from the northwest on Thursday morning, bringing temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s and increased humidity. By late morning, rain will likely start to spread across the city, with heavier rainfall expected around 10 a.m. This wet and muggy Halloween day will continue through the afternoon as temperatures hover around the mid-70s, making the last day of October feel more like summer.
In the afternoon, as the cold front moves closer, more storms are expected to develop, especially in areas near and south of Interstate 10. While severe weather is not anticipated, isolated gusty winds and downpours could cause some trick-or-treating disruptions. Rainfall totals may reach up to half an inch, potentially leading to brief standing water on local roads.
By early evening, as families begin their Halloween celebrations, isolated to widely scattered showers may persist until around 8 p.m. Any remaining downpours should be lighter and primarily near the coast. Wet streets could make costumes muddy, so parents are advised to keep kids’ costumes off the ground to avoid dragging through puddles.
Houston’s Weather Ahead: Rain and Seasonal Shifts
This weak cold front isn’t expected to significantly drop temperatures, and unseasonably warm and humid conditions will persist. While the front may stall near the coast, it could generate daily chances for showers through the weekend, with Friday likely seeing the heaviest rainfall. These showers come as a welcome relief, as Southeast Texas has recently slipped into drought conditions following one of the driest Octobers on record.
Houston’s rainfall has seen a year of extremes, with the city experiencing its sixth-wettest January and fifth-wettest July. With 51.2 inches recorded so far, Houston is nearing its annual average, offering some relief to local landscapes and reservoirs after a hot and dry October.
Fall Adjustments: Daylight Saving Time and Potential Weather Changes
With the arrival of the rain, Houston can expect two cold fronts in the coming days, with the second front next week potentially bringing more significant drops in temperature, highs in the 70s, and lows in the 50s. Additionally, daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 5. Remember to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night, as sunrise will occur in the 6 a.m. hour and sunset at 5:32 p.m., signaling the start of shorter days and longer nights in Houston.
The Houston area is ready for the seasonal shift as much-needed rain, Halloween storms, and cooler temperatures signal the end of a long, dry October.
