It sure hasn’t felt much like December this week, with the unseasonably warm temperatures and high humidity. This mild and muggy pattern is going to be with us through Tuesday, but will be replaced with noticeably cooler air starting next Wednesday. And this cooler pattern is expected to last at least through Christmas.

A moist flow off the Gulf of Mexico will continue this afternoon and tonight, causing more warm and humid weather. Expect a partly cloudy sky this afternoon, followed by an overcast sky Friday night. For the coastal region, there will be a 30 percent chance for a few brief showers this afternoon as an area of enhanced moisture pushes inland off the Gulf. Rain amounts should only average around a tenth of an inch or less. Friday’s temperature is forecast to reach the upper 70s to low 80s. Lows Saturday morning will be in the mid and upper 60s.

A chance for scattered rain showers and even a couple of isolated thunderstorms will enter the forecast beginning Saturday afternoon for the entire region as moisture increases ahead of a weak cold front pushing east out of West Texas. The probability for rain will be near 40 percent. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue Saturday night, then taper off from west to east Sunday morning as the cold front reaches the coast. The probability for rain will near 60-70 percent. Rain amounts Saturday through Sunday morning are forecast to average close to a quarter inch, but some isolated totals of 0.5-1 inch will be possible. The sky is forecast to become partly cloudy Sunday afternoon.

  • High temperatures Saturday are forecast to be in the mid and upper 70s.
  • Lows Sunday morning will range from the mid-50s across the Hill Country, to the upper 50s to low 60s across Central Texas, to the upper 60s near the coast.
  • High temperatures Sunday are forecast to be near 65-70 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions, and be in the upper 60s towards the coast.
  • Lows Monday morning will range from the mid-50s across the Hill Country to the mid-60s across the coastal plains.
  • High temperatures Tuesday are forecast to be in the low and mid-70s.

Monday is shaping up to be partly cloudy sunny and warm, with high temperatures in the upper 70s.

A chance for rain showers and isolated thunderstorms will return to the forecast Tuesday into Tuesday night when a large trough of low pressure moves from the southern Rockies to central and southern Plains. A cold front associated with the upper trough is predicted to push east out of West Texas Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast to develop ahead of and along the cold front. The probability for rain will be near 60-70 percent. Rain amounts Tuesday through Tuesday night are forecast to only average around a quarter inch. The threat for severe storms appears low.

Clear and cooler weather looks to follow behind the cold front Wednesday. Expect high temperatures to be in the low and mid-60s.

Sunny, dry and even cooler weather is forecast next Thursday and Friday as an even stronger cold front moves across the area.

  • High temperatures Wednesday through Friday are forecast to be in the mid-50s to low 60s.
  • Low temperatures Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings will range from the low and mid-30s across the Hill Country, to the low 40s across the coastal plains.

Mostly sunny and cool weather is forecast to continue next weekend. High temperatures are forecast to be around 50-52 degrees. Lows are forecast to be in the upper 30s to low 40s.

A peek in to the week of  December 19th shows the chilly temperatures will continue. High temperatures throughout the week are predicted to hold in the low 50s. Lows are forecast to be in the upper 30s to low 40s. Forecasts call for a chance for rain showers early in the week, followed by generally dry weather for the second half of the week.

Earliest Sunsets of the Year

Although the winter solstice is more than two weeks away, the earliest sunsets of the year are currently taking place. Because of Earth’s elliptical orbit and it’s tilt with respect to the sun, the earliest sunsets of the year take place in early December. The sun will set a full minute later beginning  December 10th. Meanwhile, the latest sunrises of the year won’t occur until about January 10th.

Have a great weekend!

Bob