Weather Tracker

The NFL weather report (with a bonus update on what will happen in Houston)

Stephen Uzick
Dec 7, 2018, 10:45 am
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers should have an advantage. Photo credit: Andy Lyons

Despite a large storm system working its way across the south this weekend most NFL games will be spared impacts as the majority will be played safely away from the action. However, there are still a few games worth highlighting from a weather perspective with some being due to the conditions and others being because of the participants.

Falcons @ Packers (12:00 PM Sunday): Your 2018 Disappointment Bowl. Honestly the weather won't be too bad for December in Green Bay with the temperature in the mid to upper 20s, a windchill in the upper teens and no precipitation. However, I am spotlighting this game because of the Falcons. The Falcons have played 8 of their 12 games this season in a dome and the last outdoor cold weather game they played they lost to the Browns. Yes the Falcons are having a disappointing year and the Browns are improved but I still think the weather played a role. I wouldn't be too high on Atlanta on the frozen tundra.

Patriots @ Dolphins (12:00 PM Sunday): For some reason South Florida is like the Bermuda Triangle for the Patriots. While it won't be terrible, the weather won't be fully cooperative on Sunday. Temperatures will be in the mid 80s with some scattered rain showers. The rain shouldn't be too bad, but winds will be at about 15 MPH and gust to about 20 throughout the game.

Saints @ Buccaneers (12:00 PM Sunday): The cold front associated with the storm system moving across the southern US this weekend should be approaching the Tampa area around game time on Sunday. This is going to bring wind gusts up to 25 MPH during the game as well as some rain. While there may be some scattered rain ahead of the front, I think the bulk of it will come in a thin line along the front probably sometime in the first half. The rain in that line could be heavy and have some thunder with it but it should not last very long and will clear fairly quickly.

Rams @ Bears (7:20 PM Sunday): The weather will be clear but it will be cold. The temperature will be around 30 degrees at kickoff and will fall into the mid 20s during the game with windchills in the upper teens. I am highlighting this game only because of how the Rams may be impacted. They did win in the snow earlier this year in Denver, but these cold temperatures are still a concern for a Southern California team.

Local Weather Update:

As I am sure you all have heard by now heavy rain is expected this evening (Friday night) into Saturday morning. Be weather aware if you are going out tonight as street flooding is possible. Please don't be a dummy and drive into high water, especially after dark. A good rule of thumb is if you can't see the curb do not drive through.

If you have any questions about the games or the storm this weekend you can find me on Twitter @stephenuzick.

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The Death Ridge breaks and rain finally returns

weathermodels.com

Last time we spoke the miserable heat wave that has now brought six consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees was just beginning. While Houston obviously gets hot, this stretch of consecutive days over 100 is fairly uncommon. As bad as the days have been the nights have actually been worse as the sustained daytime heat makes it harder for the air to cool off at night as heat absorbed by the ground, and particularly concrete, during the day continues to be released from the ground at night. I am happy to say though that it appears we are reaching the end of this particular hot streak. Congratulations, you survived.

The area of high pressure, also known as the "Death Ridge," is moving off to the west which will bring in a bit of a northerly wind flow and a weak front. I hesitate to call it a front as it won't change the air-mass much. Rather, it is more of a boundary that could provide a focusing mechanism for some rain. Today and tomorrow will bring us the best chance of rain we have seen in a while, which is sorely needed after the baking we have endured. While I don't think everyone will see rain the next couple of days there should at least be enough rain and clouds around to keep temperatures in the mid 90's instead of over 100.

Rain finally returns. Simulated radar this evening.weathermodels.com

Into the weekend rain chances will go down but not disappear entirely. Instead we will be going back to our more normal summer programming with a few afternoon storms here and there.

How Much More Summer:

Now that we are all thoroughly sick of the heat I decided to take a look to see what the averages say as to how much longer we have to go until things start cooling off. Looking at data from Hobby Airport compiled over the past 70 years I found the following:

  • Average date of last 95+ degree day: September 6th
  • Average date of last 90+ degree day: October 7th
  • Average first date with low temperature of 65 degrees or below: September 18th
  • Average first date with low temperature of 60 degrees or below: September 28th

Keep in mind that these dates are just averages, but it does show that we only have about a month to month and a half left of real summer misery. Yes, heat can sometimes last well into October, but the light is starting to appear at the end of this tunnel, just hold on a little longer.

Hurricane Season Update:

We are entering what is typically the peak of hurricane season but the Atlantic and Gulf are still dead. Part of this is because there is still a good amount of saharan dust out in the Atlantic, indicative of hot dry air in the upper atmosphere which inhibits any potential storm growth. The law of averages would say that things will get churning at some point in the Atlantic Basin over the next month or so but as of now the computer models are not sniffing anything out.

Oranges an reds indicate Saharan dust in the atmosphere over the Atlantic.CIMSS/Univ. Wisconsin

Mailbag:

Since the weather has been quite lately I am opening up the WeatherMap mailbag. Tweet any of your weather related questions to @stephenuzick.

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