textproduct: Houston/Galveston

KEY MESSAGES

- Warm, dry and breezy conditions could lead to increased fire danger this afternoon. Please, exercise extra caution with fire again today.

- Breezy conditions are expected this evening through early Thursday ahead of an approaching weak/dry front.

- Above-normal temperatures continue into the weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 139 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

Winds and warmer conditions are the primary weather stories in the next few days. Winds will become breezy this afternoon in response to a deepening lee surface low and a tightening pressure gradient across the Rockies/West Texas. Looking at 850 mb, models continue to support a moderate to strong LLJ just north of of our area. Given this scenario, windier conditions can be expected late tonight through early Thursday. Expect southerly winds around 15 to 20 mph with inland gusts up to 25 mph and higher gusts along the coast.

Fire weather: Despite southerly winds re-establishing across the area today, which usually results in an gradual uptick in humidity; a fairly dry airmass still persist over the region. Relative humidity in the 20 to 30 percent range is expected this afternoon. Warm, dry and breezy conditions, combined with dry vegetation are the ideal ingredients for increased fire danger. Although conditions will remain below Red Flag Warning criteria, please, exercise extra caution with fire again today.

Winds will gradually weaken by early Thursday ahead of the aforementioned surface low and its associated frontal boundary. This weak front will enter Southeast Texas Thursday afternoon. The primary impact on Thursday will be temperature-related; compressional heating ahead of the front will bring highs into the mid to upper 80s. Little to no precipitation is anticipated with the FROPA, other than slight chances over the Gulf Thursday night into Friday.

A mid to upper level ridge will strengthen over the Baja Peninsula/northern Mexico during the weekend. This will keep the region dry and with above-normal temperatures for late February/early March.

AVIATION

(00Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 522 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

VFR conditions persist alongside gusty southerly winds essentially through the TAF period. Winds remain elevated overnight, but the stronger gusts are expected to subside leading to LLWS concerns for terminals generally near and north of I-10. HOU/SGR are borderline for seeing the LLWS, so these mentions were included in this set of TAFS since there is enough potential. Additionally overnight, there is a brief window for MVFR ceilings for CXO and northward generally between 14Z-16Z. VFR conditions return by 16Z giving way to another day of gusty southerly winds where sustained winds range from 15-20 kt with gusts up to 25-30 kt through the afternoon.

Batiste

MARINE

Issued at 139 PM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

Onshore winds and seas will continue to strengthen and build this evening ahead of an approaching cold front. Moderate to strong onshore winds will persist through early Thursday with gusts up to 30 kt and seas up to 9ft offshore at times. Small Craft Advisories are in effect from this evening through at least early Thursday morning. The aforementioned weak front will move over the waters Thursday evening, with only slight rain chances to the coastal waters. Onshore flow resumes by Friday night.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

College Station (CLL) 57 83 62 86 / 0 0 0 0 Houston (IAH) 60 81 67 86 / 0 0 0 0 Galveston (GLS) 62 72 65 74 / 0 0 0 0

HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM CST Thursday for GMZ330-335-350- 355-370-375.