Whether this is your first summer living in Houston or you’re a native, I think you can already tell: It’s going to be a hot one. So, how high will temperatures rise, and how can you protect yourself from the heat?
How Hot Will it Get?
Last year, Houston had the hottest summer ever with 45 days of temperatures reaching 100 or higher. Luckily, June started off cooler than last summer with lower daytime temperatures and more rainfall. The bad news? July could be warmer than normal for Houston and the rest of the country. However, it’s still unclear if temperatures will reach the same record-breaking levels for weeks at a time as they did last summer.
A good marker for Houston summers is a model that Space City Weather uses: early summer, mid summer, high summer, and late summer. As we head deeper into July, we’re about to be smack in the middle of high summer, where temperatures reach the upper 90s to mid 100s. This can last until September. After high summer, temperatures can still stay in the 90s from September to early October during late summer.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
- Make sure you stay hydrated! Drink several glasses of water throughout the day. Don’t wait until you get thirsty or ready to exercise.
- Keep cool and stay inside with air-conditioning. If your air-conditioner isn’t working properly and you need a portable air-conditioner, contact Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 832-393-4301. You can also find a list of cooling centers here.
- Be careful with strenuous activity outside. Take breaks, wear loose and light-fitting clothes, and limit outdoor physical exercise to early morning or evenings.
- Don’t leave pets or children in your car. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise quickly and result in deadly consequences.
- Check on the elderly and other people with health conditions. Make sure they have proper air-conditioning inside their homes and that they’re staying hydrated.
- Eat lighter meals because hot and heavy meals add more heat to your body.
- Wear sunscreen and continue to reapply if you’re going to be out for long periods of time.
