Houston, Texas – A warm and generally quiet weather pattern is expected to dominate eastern Texas as the New Year approaches, with above-normal temperatures and below-average precipitation favored from Dec 27 through Jan 9.
Large-scale atmospheric signals indicate persistent ridging across the Gulf Coast and southern Plains during this period, limiting the number of storm systems reaching eastern Texas. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures across the region are expected to trend above seasonal averages, especially during the afternoon hours. Houston, College Station, Beaumont, and the Piney Woods region may see extended stretches of mild winter days, with overnight lows remaining comfortably above freezing for late December and early January.
Rain chances appear limited overall, with long dry intervals likely between weak frontal boundaries. Any rain that does occur is expected to be light and short-lived, with no widespread flooding concerns currently indicated. The warmer setup also reduces the likelihood of winter weather across eastern Texas, including areas farther north toward the Red River, where cold air intrusions appear limited.
The warm and dry pattern should support favorable travel conditions along major corridors such as I-10, I-45, I-69, US-59, and Highway 290 during the busy New Year holiday period. Outdoor activities, port operations, and New Year’s celebrations across eastern Texas are less likely to be disrupted by weather compared to colder regions farther north.
While brief temperature dips may still occur behind passing fronts, no sustained cold outbreaks are currently signaled. Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, but no significant hazards are anticipated. Overall, the outlook supports a calm, mild, and dry start to 2026 across Houston and much of eastern Texas.
