An arctic cold front blasted through the Hill Country and Central Texas regions early this morning, dropping temperatures some 20-30 degrees from earlier late night readings. As of midday, temperatures ranged from the low 30s across the northern Hill Country, to the upper 30s to mid-40s across Central Texas, to the 50s across the coastal plains. Readings across the Hill Country and Central Texas are forecast to remain nearly steady this afternoon. Across the coastal area, readings are forecast to fall into the 40s by late afternoon.
Precipitation behind the cold front has so far been very low, most of the activity being confined to North and North Central Texas. A trough of low pressure ejecting northeast out of southern New Mexico is forecast is causing widespread overrunning clouds this afternoon In addition, occasional overrunning light rain and drizzle is expected across the region through late afternoon. The light rain may become mixed with a little light sleet or snow across the northern Hill Country, but no travel problems are anticipated. Elsewhere, all of the precipitation should remain liquid. Although the probability for precipitation will be around 50 percent, rain amounts are predicted to total just a few hundredths of an inch. The chance for precipitation should end from west to east late afternoon through early evening as the overrunning pattern diminishes.
Strong northerly winds will be in place this afternoon and tonight. Expect wind speeds of 15-25 mph, with gusts to 35 mph through early Saturday morning. Wind speeds are forecast to decrease to 5-10 mph for most of Saturday.
The sky is forecast to clear this evening, allowing temperatures to fall well below freezing. A hard freeze is predicted for the Hill Country and most of Central Texas, including the Austin metro area.
- Lows Saturday morning are forecast to be near 20-22 degrees across the Hill Country, be in the mid and upper 20s across Central Texas, and be near 30-32 degrees across the coastal plains.
A sunny and dry weather pattern will be in place this weekend. The cold air that is moving in today will begin moving off to the east late Saturday into Sunday. In fact, southerly breezes are predicted to develop beginning Saturday night. But do note the combination of a clear and light wind Saturday night is expected to cause a light freeze at most locations.
- High temperatures Saturday are forecast to be near 58-60 degrees.
- Lows Sunday morning will include the upper 20s across the Hill Country, the low 30s across Central Texas and the low to mid-30s across the coastal plains.
- High temperatures Sunday are predicted to be in the mid-60s.
- Low temperatures Monday will be in the mid and upper 40s.
Looking at next week’s weather, conditions are forecast to stay generally dry Monday through Friday. A Pacific cold front looks to sweep southeast across our region Monday night, possibly bringing a couple of rain showers to areas east of Interstate 35. But no rain of significance is expected. Forecasts call for another Pacific cold front to track across the area next Thursday night, but conditions again don’t appear to be favorable for any rain of significance.
Mild to warm daytime temperatures are forecast next week, with highs generally in the 70s to low 80s. Nighttime low temperatures are forecast to be mostly in the mid and upper 40s.
Looking out to next weekend and the week of March 21st, no significant change in the pattern is expected. Mild to warm daytime temperatures look to continue, with highs staying in the 70s to low 80s, and lows in the 50s. No rain is forecast.
Elevated Fire Weather Concerns Saturday and Next Week
The combination of dry vegetation, northerly breezes and very low relative humidity levels will make for elevated to near critical fire weather conditions, generally for areas along and west of Hwy 71 (including the Austin metro area) on Saturday.
Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are also forecast for next Tuesday and next Friday, as very dry air develops in the wake of two dry cold fronts.
Time Change this Weekend
Daylight Saving Time will begin this Sunday morning, March 13th at 2:00 am. At that time, we will “spring forward”, setting our clocks ahead one hour. This will add more daylight to the evenings, while mornings will be darker for a few weeks’ time. Sunrise Sunday in Austin will be at 7:43 am CDT. Sunset will be at 7:38 pm CDT.
Have a good weekend.
Bob
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