Quick Capsule

  • An Early Taste of Spring Is In Store for East Texas
  • Some High Temps Could Challenge Records
  • A Weather Anomaly Will Bring Dangerous, Long-Lasting Fog to the Coastline

Spring officially arrives on March 20. If Punxsutawney Phil is to be believed, 6 more weeks of winter weather is on the way. But, this is East Texas, home of freak snow events and record heat...all in less than a month.

If you believe the predictions of a forecasting rodent in Pennsylvania, you probably put beans in your chili.

Get Ready For Some Heat

It looks like it's time to put away the hoodies...at least for the first week of February. Over the eastern third of Texas, high temperatures are expected to range from the upper 70s to low 80s, about 15-20 degrees above normal. This could lead to several record-setting or record-tying marks from Texarkana to Houston.

The humidity is going to be elevated, as well. If you have a concrete patio or driveway, you'll probably get a good dose this week of 'sweaty concrete', especially during the nighttime.

Something Dangerous for Southeast Texas

Just a few weeks ago, heavy snow caused travel issues along the I-10 corridor and Upper Texas Coast. Another round of hazardous travel is on the way, but it won't be from snow.

The high temperatures in the Houston Metro are expected to creep into the 80s this week, but in Galveston and along the immediate coastal areas, the highs are not supposed to get out of the 60s.

This will result in areas of dense fog from the Galveston area and throughout many locations near the coast and inland to communities near Trinity Bay. This fog could become widespread by Monday night and may not completely clear out until next weekend.

Travel in these areas could be extremely hazardous, especially during morning commutes. Please allow for extra time to arrive at your destination and keep your headlights on at all times.

No rain is expected through next weekend. A cold front may move into East Texas by February 9, bringing temperatures back to normal for this time of year.

The Strongest Earthquakes in East Texas History

Here's a look (in no particular order at some of the strongest earthquakes in East Texas in modern history. Some of these tremors were centered in East Texas, while the epicenters of other quakes were in neighboring states, but the effects were felt in East Texas.

Gallery Credit: Danny Merrell