Overview
- Near-freezing temperatures and wind chills in the mid-30s greeted Southeast Texas early Wednesday under sunny skies.
- Afternoon highs reach the mid-60s before slipping to the upper 40s by 11 p.m., with wind chills in the mid-40s and southwesterly breezes up to 10 mph.
- Skies remain dry for celebrations as the National Weather Service warns that parched vegetation elevates fire risk from fireworks.
- Overnight into Thursday, temperatures settle in the lower 40s in Houston and briefly dip into the upper 30s north of the city, with a few degrees lower on wind chill.
- A rapid warmup follows with lower 70s on New Year’s Day and readings above 80 by Friday, framed by La Niña influences after an unusually warm year.