- Quiet weather for Christmas Day ahead of another severe weather risk on Thursday
- Here's how to protect your car last-minute during a hailstorm
- South Carolina residents with losses due to Hurricane Helene urged to apply for federal aid before January deadline
- North Carolina's I-40 closure from Hurricane Helene prolonged by new damage, detours in place
- Hurricane Helene survivor rebuilds life in Ashe County with community support
NWS Houston narrows timing, expands scope of severe weather threat Friday night
-
This National Weather Service map shows the scope and timing of a severe weather threat to the Greater Houston area on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.
This National Weather Service map shows the scope and timing of a severe weather threat to the Greater Houston area on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.
Photo: National Weather Service
This National Weather Service map shows the scope and timing of a severe weather threat to the Greater Houston area on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.
This National Weather Service map shows the scope and timing of a severe weather threat to the Greater Houston area on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.
Photo: National Weather Service
We now have a better understanding of when severe weather is expected to plague Houston Friday night.
Severe thunderstorms will likely flare up starting at 6 p.m. Friday and will continue until at least 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologists with the NWS Storm Prediction Center also expanded the area that has an “enhanced” chance of severe weather, meaning the threat of tornadoes and straight-line winds now encompasses most of the Greater Houston area.
While winds and tornadoes remain the main threat for Friday night’s weather, there’s only a 10 percent chance that wind gusts will reach 75 mph or a tornado reaches EF2 level.
The storms come ahead of a cold front expected to bring pleasant weather for the weekend, with highs in the upper-50s/low-60s and partly sunny skies, according to NWS.
As for Thursday in Houston, there’s a 20 to 40 percent chance of storms through the night. Temperatures will remain in the muggy 70s/upper 60s until Friday night’s front.
Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com