Hot and dry settling in

A strong ridge of high pressure centered west of the region will be the main weather player through next week bringing mostly dry and hot conditions. The best chance of a shower or thunderstorm will likely occur today for the next few days, but rain chances will only be around 10% over Houston and around 20-30% over Acadiana. A disturbance moving in from the north could lead to a small uptick in rain chances Sunday, mainly for Acadiana, but this is a small scale feature and confidence in the timing and strength is low at this point.

In the extended forecast, the ridge of high pressure is expected to builds eastward next week, and where the ridge axis sets up will make all the difference in the world when it comes to rain chances. If it builds right in over the Gulf Coast, rain chances will be near 0 and temperatures will remain well above normal. If it builds far enough to the north, we could see some increased Gulf moisture and the daily risk of isolated sea breeze showers and thunderstorms. Models have trended back and forth a bit, so there remains some uncertainty. Latest data would suggest drier rather than rainier.

Looking at specific temperatures, highs will remain in the upper 90s over Houston and mid to upper 90s over Acadiana.