Honestly, if you've lived in Houston for more than five minutes, you know the "winter" here is basically a suggestion rather than a rule. This January 2026 has been no different, proving once again that the Bayou City operates on its own chaotic schedule. We started the month with temperatures that felt more like mid-November, with the first two weeks of the year averaging about $62.6^{\circ}\text{F}$ at Bush Intercontinental. That is a massive $9.5^{\circ}$ jump above what we usually expect. People were walking around in short sleeves while the rest of the country was digging out of snowbanks. It was weird.
But don't get too comfortable.
Right now, as of Sunday, January 18, the city is finally feeling the bite of a real winter. We're waking up to a crisp $35^{\circ}\text{F}$ with a "feels like" temperature hovering around $31^{\circ}\text{F}$ thanks to a 5 mph wind coming out of the northwest. It’s the kind of morning where you regret not finding that heavy coat you shoved into the back of the closet last February.
The Wild Seesaw of January Temperatures
If you’re looking at houston weather this month, you have to prepare for the literal ups and downs. Today, Sunday, we’re looking at a high of $55^{\circ}\text{F}$ under a perfectly clear sky. No clouds. No rain. Just bright, deceptive sunshine. Tonight is going to stay clear and cold, dropping back down to $34^{\circ}\text{F}$.
Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, the city starts its signature warm-up. We’ll hit $65^{\circ}\text{F}$ by the afternoon. Then, Tuesday climbs to $62^{\circ}\text{F}$ before things get interesting mid-week.
By Wednesday, January 21, the humidity—our old friend—comes roaring back. We’re looking at an 85% humidity level and a 75% chance of light rain. This isn't the "blast of winter" rain; it's that gray, misty Houston drizzle that makes the roads slick and the air feel heavy. The high will reach $65^{\circ}\text{F}$, and the low won't even drop below $57^{\circ}\text{F}$. Basically, it’s sweater-over-a-t-shirt weather.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Month
The National Weather Service and local experts like Anthony Yanez have been keeping a close eye on a series of fronts. While we had a freeze warning for coastal communities this morning, the trend for the final week of January looks fairly mild.
- Friday, Jan 23: Mostly cloudy, high of $68^{\circ}\text{F}$.
- Saturday, Jan 24: Cloudy with light rain late, high of $67^{\circ}\text{F}$.
- Sunday, Jan 25: More light rain, humidity peaking at 88%, high of $64^{\circ}\text{F}$.
The last few days of the month, from January 26 to January 31, are predicted to bring a few more "chilly" periods, but the Almanac suggests we might finish the month about $1^{\circ}$ below the long-term average overall. It’s a classic Texas battle between the weak La Niña pattern trying to keep us warm and the occasional "clipper" storm trying to remind us it's actually January.
Living With the Humidity and Wind
Humidity is the silent character in every Houston weather story. Even in the "dry" winter, we’ve seen shifts from 27% humidity today to a projected 100% humidity by next Tuesday. That’s why your skin feels like it’s cracking one day and you’re sweating in your jacket the next.
The winds have been relatively calm lately, mostly coming from the north and northeast at 5 to 10 mph. However, we did just dodge a Red Flag Warning yesterday due to those blustery 30 mph gusts and low humidity—a dangerous combo for fire threats in the brush.
Actionable Steps for the Houston Winter
You can’t just trust the morning sky here. You've gotta be tactical.
First, check your tire pressure. These $30^{\circ}$ swings from morning to afternoon cause your TPMS light to go haywire. It’s not a leak; it’s just physics.
Second, if you’re a plant person, don't let the $65^{\circ}$ Monday fool you. Keep your frost blankets handy. We still have potential "light freeze" nights ahead, especially for outlying areas like Conroe or Katy where the thermometer drops 4-5 degrees lower than inside the Loop.
Finally, hydrate. The low humidity days like today actually dry you out faster than the swampy summer days. Drink water even if you aren't sweating.
📖 Related: Why Pictures of Cross Dressing Men Still Spark Such Intense Debate
The most important thing to remember about houston weather this month is that it’s never settled. By next weekend, we’ll likely be back in the high 60s, complaining about the dampness and wondering where we put our sunglasses. That’s just life in the 713.