Houston weather is a mood. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than twenty minutes here, you know the forecast is basically just a polite suggestion. It's Friday, January 16, 2026, and right now, it’s 48°F and sunny. Sounds pleasant, right? Well, by this afternoon, we’re looking at a high of 73°F. That’s a 25-degree swing in a few hours.
Welcome to Bayou City.
People think Texas is just one big, dusty desert. Wrong. Houston is a swamp. We’re talking 90% humidity this morning. You don't just walk through the air here; you wear it.
The Humidity Factor and Why It Ruins Your Hair
Let’s talk about the "muggy" factor. It’s the defining characteristic of what's the weather like in Houston Texas. Even in January, the humidity can sit at 62% during the day and spike to 90% at night.
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In the summer? Forget about it.
Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez from KPRC recently noted that we’ve already hit four record highs this January alone. The Gulf of Mexico is running warmer than it has since 1982. When that warm Gulf air blows in from the south—which it’s doing at 6 mph right now—it brings a thick, wet blanket with it.
This moisture acts like a thermal battery. It holds onto heat long after the sun goes down. That’s why a July night in Houston can still feel like 85°F at midnight. It’s oppressive. It’s relentless. But, hey, it keeps your skin hydrated.
Winter is a Game of Roulette
Houston "winter" is really just a series of cold fronts fighting for their lives.
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, a front is sliding in. The high will only hit 50°F, and Sunday morning will drop to a crisp 35°F. That is a massive crash from today's 73°F.
You’ll see locals in parkas when it hits 50°F. Don’t laugh. Our bodies are tuned to 95°F and "steam room" humidity. 35°F feels like the Arctic when you were wearing flip-flops yesterday.
- Today (Jan 16): Sunny, High 73°F / Low 48°F
- Tomorrow (Jan 17): Mostly Cloudy, High 50°F / Low 36°F
- Sunday (Jan 18): Sunny, High 57°F / Low 35°F
By Wednesday, January 21, the rain moves in with an 83% humidity level. You basically need three different wardrobes just to get through the week.
Hurricane Season and the Summer Slog
If you're planning a trip, you need to know about the Atlantic hurricane season. It officially kicks off June 1 and runs through November 30.
Forecasts for 2026 from groups like Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) are already pointing toward a "near-normal" season. That sounds fine until you realize "normal" means about 14 named storms. In Houston, it only takes one.
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The rain here is different. It doesn't drizzle; it dumps. Because the city is so flat, the water has nowhere to go. Flash flooding is a legitimate part of the lifestyle. You learn which underpasses to avoid after a twenty-minute downpour.
Summer is the real test. June through August is a blur of triple-digit heat indices. If you’re visiting in July, bring extra everything. You will sweat through your clothes just walking from the hotel to the Uber. Most of us just stay inside from noon to 4:00 PM. It’s the only way to survive.
What to Actually Pack
Packing for Houston is an art form. Layers are the only answer.
If you’re coming this month, pack a light jacket for the mornings and short sleeves for the afternoons. Since it’s currently 48°F but heading for 73°F, you’ll be carrying that jacket by lunch.
For the summer, think linen. Or high-performance athletic gear that wicks moisture. Cotton is a trap; it stays wet and gets heavy. Also, carry a sweater. It sounds crazy, but Houstonians crank the AC to "meat locker" levels. You’ll be sweating outside and shivering inside a restaurant.
Pro tip: Keep an umbrella in your car. Not a tiny one. A big, golf-style umbrella. The rain happens fast, and it doesn't care about your plans.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
Don't let the heat scare you off. Houston is incredible if you know how to play the game.
- Check the dew point, not just the temp. If the dew point is over 70, you're going to feel "sticky" regardless of the temperature.
- Download a radar app. Standard weather apps are too slow for Houston’s pop-up thunderstorms. You want to see the rain cells moving in real-time.
- Hydrate like it’s your job. The humidity masks how much you’re actually sweating. Drink water even if you don't feel thirsty.
- Schedule outdoor stuff early. If you want to see the Zoo or the Arboretum, do it at 8:00 AM. By 11:00 AM in the summer, the heat starts to bake the concrete.
The weather here is unpredictable, sometimes annoying, but never boring. Just remember: if you don't like the weather in Houston, just wait five minutes. It’ll change.