Rain chances stay low until tropical moisture surge arrives this weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- After quite the stormy start to the month, Southeast Texas will finally get a brief break from the heavy rain this week. In its place, warmer temperatures in the 90s with heat index values above 100 will rule the afternoons.

Monday morning the temperature in Houston only dipped down to 81 degrees at Bush Airport, and it will be nearly as warm to start the day Tuesday morning. Moisture levels continue to drop, so the rain chance is only 20%. That said, if you do cross paths with a shower, it could bring briefly heavy rainfall. High temperatures should top out just shy of the average high of 92 degrees.

When does the tropical air return with higher rain chances?

That will occur over the weekend. At this time we have rain chances at 30% Saturday and 40% Sunday, but the highest chance over the next 10 days is currently reserved for next Monday at 60% odds.

Why does it feel so hot even though the air temperature is barely hitting 90?

It has everything to do with the wet ground and high humidity. True, our highs are only hitting the low 90s, but when you factor in all that humidity, it feels about 10 degrees hotter to our bodies.

What are you tracking in the tropics?

There are twin tropical storms in the Pacific named Boris and Cristina, but we're going to pay closer attention to Cristina. This storm may die out while it crosses Mexico later this week, but the moisture is coming for the southwest Gulf. That's the moisture that surges in here early next week. For the latest on what's happening in the tropics, head to our Tropical Update page for our daily tropical weather discussion and forecast.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don't, just hit 'skip upload' and send the details.