…The Winter Storm Warning for the Hill Country and Most of Central Texas has been Canceled…

 …The Winter Weather Advisory for the Coastal Plains Region will Expire at Noon Friday…

…The Precipitation has Ended, but Very Cold Temperatures will Continue through the Weekend…

Radar and surface observations Friday morning indicated all of the wintery precipitation has ended across our region and pushed well off to the east.  Widespread sleet and freezing rain occurred across the Hill Country and most of Central Texas Thursday, resulting in ice accumulations of 0.10 to near 0.25 inches. The accumulating ice has made travel difficult with much of the Hill Country, including the Austin Metro area, seeing icy roads.

Friday morning satellite images showed the sky was clearing from west to east across the Hill Country and Central Texas. Forecasts call for the sky to continue clearing this afternoon, with most areas seeing scattered sunshine. Despite the sun, afternoon temperatures are forecast to remain quite cold, with temperatures only reaching the mid-30s. Do keep in mind, as the sun begins to thaw some of the ice this afternoon, breezy conditions may cause ice to fall off trees, buildings and powerlines. Breezy north winds at 10-20 mph, with gusts to 30 mph are forecast through late afternoon.

A clear sky and light winds are forecast Friday night. These conditions will allow temperatures to become as cold, if not a couple of degrees colder than were observed Friday morning. Low temperatures Saturday morning are forecast to be in the low and mid-teens across the Hill Country, in the upper teens to low 20s across Central Texas, and in the mid-20s across the coastal plains

Sunny and dry weather is forecast this weekend as a very stable weather pattern develops across Texas. The big thaw will begin in earnest Saturday afternoon with full sunshine and the development of light southerly breezes.

  • High temperatures Saturday are forecast to be near 40 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions, with mid and upper 40s expected towards the coast.
  • Low temperatures Sunday morning will include the upper teens to low 20s across the Hill Country, the low 20s across Central Texas, with mid and upper 20s across the coastal plains.
  • High temperatures Sunday will generally be near 48-50 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions, with mid to upper 50s forecast across the coastal plains.
  • Low temperatures Monday morning will include the mid-20s across the Hill Country, the upper 20s to low 30s across Central Texas, and mid to upper 30s across the coastal plains.

The outlook for next week is showing a welcome break from this week’s cold and damp weather. While a couple of weak cold fronts are forecast to track through our area, no rain is expected. High temperatures throughout the week are forecast to be in the 50s. Some low 60s will be possible late week. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 20s to low 30s across the Hill Country, the low and mid-30s across Central Texas and the upper 30s across the coastal plains region.

Looking out longer term, no additional arctic outbreaks are forecast over the next 2-3 weeks.

Have a good weekend.

Bob