A strong storm system moved from the Texas Panhandle to the southern Plains late Sunday, bringing very strong winds to West Texas, and tornadoes and severe weather to parts of Oklahoma. The system passed too far to the north to bring storms, much less any rain, to Central and South Texas. A Pacific cold front associated with the storm system pushed east across the region Monday morning, bringing with it drier and slightly cooler. The front is forecast to stall along the middle Texas coast late Monday afternoon.
Today’s dry air will be in place through Monday night, before more humid air returns Tuesday and Wednesday along southerly breezes.
All eyes are on the next Pacific storm system that is predicted to move from the Desert Southwest to the middle Mississippi Valley Thursday into Friday. There will be a slight chance for rain showers and scattered thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and Thursday night. Unfortunately, rain amounts with this system will be under a quarter inch.
Sunny and dry weather will resume Friday and continue through upcoming weekend and the first half of next week.
Monday Afternoon and Monday Night
The sky will be clear across the region through Monday night, although some low clouds are forecast to develop across the coastal plains region late Monday night. High temperatures Monday will range from the mid-70s across the Hill Country, the low 80s near the coast. Low temperatures Tuesday morning are forecast to be in the upper 40s across the Hill Country, the low 50s across Central Texas, and the mid to upper 50s coastal plains.
Tuesday through Wednesday Night
The sky will be sunny Tuesday as southerly breezes return to the area. Expect wind speeds of 5-10 mph. Tuesday’s temperature is forecast to top out in the mid-80s.
The sky will become mostly cloudy as wind speeds increase to a range of 10-15 mph. Lows Wednesday morning will include the upper 50s across the Hill Country, the mid-60s across Central Texas, and be near 70 degrees across the coastal plains.
Wednesday’s weather will feature widespread clouds in the morning, followed by a partly to mostly cloudy sky in the afternoon. A couple of scattered rain showers will be possible Wednesday morning as a weak wave of low pressure moves over the region. Rain amounts, if any, should total less than a tenth of an inch. High temperatures Wednesday are forecast to be in the mid-80s. Lows Thursday morning will range from the low 60s across the Hill Country, to near 70 degrees across the coastal plains.
Thursday and Thursday Night
The next Pacific storm system is forecast to be move from the Desert Southwest to the southern Plains states, staying just north of our region. However, the storm system will push a Pacific cold front across the area Thursday afternoon and Thursday night. While the main focus for showers thunderstorm development is expected to be across North Texas, atmospheric conditions appear favorable for the development of some rain showers and thunderstorms in advance of and along the cold front. The most favorable area for rain will be across the northern Hill Country and the northern half of Central Texas, including the Austin metro area. Here, the probability for rain will be near 30-40 percent. Rain amounts are forecast to average less than a quarter inch.
Strong southerly winds, with speeds of 10-20 mph, are forecast Thursday in advance of the approaching front. Windy conditions are forecast behind the cold front late Thursday afternoon through Thursday night. Expect northwesterly winds with speeds of 20-30 mph, with some gusts to 40-50 mph.
High temperatures Thursday are forecast to be in the mid and upper 80s. It will turn much cooler Thursday night, with lows Friday morning in the upper 30s across the Hill Country, the low and mid-40s across Central Texas, and near 50 degrees across the coastal plains.
Friday through Sunday
Sunny and dry weather will be in place. Breezy conditions look to persist on Friday, with much lighter winds expected Friday night and over the weekend.
High temperatures are forecast to be in the low and mid-60s Friday, warming to around 70 degrees Saturday, and the low 70s Sunday. Lows Saturday and Sunday mornings will range from the upper 30s across the Hill Country, to the low 40s across Central Texas, to the mid and upper 40s across the coastal plains.
Next Week
Mostly sunny and dry weather is forecast next Monday through Wednesday. Expect highs around 78-80 degrees, and lows in 50s to low 60s.
A slight chance for rain is forecast next Wednesday night into Thursday morning when a Canadian cold front pushes south through Central Texas. Very little rain is expected. However, cooler temperatures are forecast late next week into the following weekend. Expect highs in the 60s to near 70 degrees, with lows in the 40s.
Don’t Miss the Jupiter and Venus Show this Week
Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, shine close together in the west-southwest sky at dusk all this week. Jupiter starts the week on top. The two planets will pass each other at conjunction on March 1st, when they’ll appear just half a degree apart! It will be quite a sight! Thereafter, Venus will be the higher planet as Jupiter sinks slowly toward the horizon.
Bob
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