Saturday’s arctic cold front brought the coldest temperatures so far this winter. According to LCRA’s Hydromet, low temperatures Monday morning were generally in the mid-teens to low 20s across the Hill Country, in the upper teens to mid-20s across Central Texas and in the upper 20s to low 30s across the coastal plains region. The lowest recorded temperature was 10 degrees, at a location along the North Llano river, in eastern Sutton County.
Temperatures were cold early Tuesday morning, but not nearly as cold as Monday. Lows ranged from the upper 20s to mid-30s across the Hill Country, to the upper 30s across the coastal plains.
The arctic air which moved in over the weekend is now moving off to the east, causing a return of southerly winds. Sunny, warmer and breezy weather can be expected this afternoon, with the temperature warming to the mid and upper 60s. Expect a south wind at 10-15 mph, with occasional gusts to 30 mph. The weather will be clear Tuesday night. Lows Wednesday morning will include the upper 30s across the Hill Country, the low 40s across Central Texas and near 50-52 degrees towards the coast.
Wednesday is shaping up to be the warmest day of the week for most of the region. High temperatures will range from the mid-60s across the northern Hill Country, to near 70 degrees across Central Texas, to the mid-70s across the coastal plains. Forecasts call for a weak Canadian cold front to sink south through the Hill Country and Central Texas regions Wednesday afternoon, with the front pulling up stationary near the Interstate 10 corridor Wednesday evening. Temperatures are forecast to trend cooler Wednesday night for areas behind the front. Lows Thursday morning will include the low 30s across the Hill Country, the low and mid-30s across Central Texas, but will be around 50 degrees across the coastal plains region.
An arctic cold front is predicted to press south across the state Thursday, bringing another blast of arctic air. The front is forecast to reach the northern Hill Country shortly after daybreak Thursday, the Austin area late Thursday morning and the coastal plains region in the afternoon. No rain is forecast with the front. Sunny, breezy and much colder air will follow the cold front. High temperatures Thursday will range from the upper 40s north, to the mid-50s in the Austin area, to the mid-60s across the coastal plains. Expect northerly winds to increase to 15-25 mph behind the cold front.
Clear and cold conditions are forecast Thursday night into Friday morning. Lows Friday morning will include the low 20s across the Hill Country, the mid and upper 20s across Central Texas and the mid-30s across the coastal plains.
Friday’s weather is looking sunny and cool, with high temperatures near 58-60 degrees. Temperatures will trend warmer Friday night. Lows Saturday morning will include the mid and upper 40s across the Hill Country and Central Texas, with mid and upper 50s expected across the coastal plains.
Forecasts call for a chance for rain showers and scattered thunderstorms to develop across the coastal plains region and areas east of Interstate 35 beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing into Sunday morning as a small wave of low pressure pushes east out of northern Mexico, pulling moisture north from the Gulf. The probability for rain will only be near 20 percent for areas east of Interstate 35, but will be near 40-50 percent for areas along and south of Interstate 10. The chance for rain looks to continue for areas east of Interstate 35 Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening when a Canadian cold front pushes south across our region. Rain amounts through Sunday evening are forecast to average between a quarter and a half inch across the coastal plains region and total less than a quarter inch elsewhere.
Expect a partly cloudy sky across the Hill Country and the Interstate 35 corridor Saturday and Sunday, while the sky should stay mostly cloudy for areas east of Interstate 35. High temperatures Saturday are forecast to be in the mid and upper 70s, while high temperatures Sunday range from the mid-60s north, to the mid-70s south.
The outlook for next week calls for mostly sunny, dry and cool conditions Monday through Wednesday, followed by a mostly cloudy sky with a chance for scattered rain showers late next week. Forecasts call for a trough of low pressure to track east across Texas late next week, pulling clouds and moisture north from the Gulf of Mexico. As of now, rain amounts are not expected to be very heavy, with most totals remaining below a half inch.
High temperatures Monday through Wednesday are predicted to be in the upper 50s to low 60s, warming to the mid and upper 60s late week. Low temperatures are forecast to be mostly in the 40s.
The Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter
After sunset the next couple of evenings, watch for the thin waxing crescent Moon to perform a two-step dance past two bright planets. Tuesday evening, the moon will be to the left of Saturn and Wednesday evening, look for the moon to be located to the left of Jupiter. The moon did a similar dance move with the bright planets last month.
Have a good week.
Bob
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