textproduct: Houston/Galveston

KEY MESSAGES

- Areas of fog are expected once again this evening through Saturday morning.

- Scattered showers expected today along with an uncertain temperature forecast due to the presence of a frontal boundary (see discussion).

- Cold front pushes through the region Saturday, bringing cooler & drier weather Sunday and Monday, along with strong winds in the Gulf and bays.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1156 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

A stationary boundary is currently draped across northern portions of the CWA. Warm and humid conditions are expected to persist ahead of the boundary, with highs near 80 degrees across central and southern portions of the forecast area, while areas to the north may struggle to to warm beyond the upper 60s. Weak low-level lift along and just north of the boundary may support a low chance (20-40%) chance for scattered light showers. In addition widespread low-level moisture will continue to support periods of fog once again tonight into early Saturday prior to the frontal passage. The highest risk for dense fog will be across areas south of I-10 and coastal portions of the area.

A stronger cold front is expected to move through Southeast Texas on Saturday. Behind the front, a reinforcing surge of high pressure will overspread the region, bringing a notable increase in northerly winds, a rapid drying trend, and decreasing temperatures by late afternoon and evening. High temperatures on Sunday and Monday are expected to generally be in the low-to-mid 60s, with lows reaching the upper 30s to mid-40s. By the middle of next week, the surface high shifts east and onshore flow redevelops, allowing the warmer and more humid conditions to return.

AVIATION

(18Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 1156 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Tricky forecast with mixed flight categories across east Texas. MVFR CIGs or lower expected to linger throughout the rest of this afternoon into evening with IFR/LIFR conditions developing tonight through tomorrow morning as a cold front moves through the region. Have lower confidence with VSBYs from fog but expecting similar conditions as this morning until the front rolls through. VFR conditions should quickly return after FROPA around 14-16Z. Have opted to leave RA out of TAFs with low confidence and probabilities <20% with best chances along the coast and some precip may be needed for coastal sites.

MARINE

Issued at 1156 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Areas of fog will continue through tomorrow morning before a frontal boundary pushes offshore. Increasing northerly winds and building seas are expected by late Saturday afternoon into the evening hours in the front's wake. Winds are likely to gust to gale force while seas build to 6-10 feet. Therefore, a Gale Watch is currently in effect through from 00-12Z Sunday. Conditions should improve late Sunday into Monday, with onshore flow returning by Tuesday.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

College Station (CLL) 55 75 41 63 / 10 0 0 0 Houston (IAH) 64 80 48 64 / 20 20 0 0 Galveston (GLS) 64 74 51 62 / 10 30 0 0

HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Dense Fog Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Saturday for TXZ214-236>238-313-335>338-436>439.

GM...Dense Fog Advisory until noon CST Saturday for GMZ330-335-350- 355.

Gale Watch from Saturday evening through late Saturday night for GMZ330-335-350-355-370-375.