A Pacific cold front moved across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions Monday morning, bringing rain showers and a few isolated thunderstorms. Unfortunately, rain amounts weren’t very heavy. Totals across the western half of the Hill Country were generally below two tenths of an inch. Across the eastern Hill Country and most of Central Texas, totals through noon were generally between a quarter and a half inch. A few totals of just over an inch were noted across northern Llano and southern San Saba Counties.
As of early Monday afternoon, the cold front stretched from just east of College Station, to near Columbus, to Cuero. Forecasts call for the front to slowly push to the east Monday afternoon and should push off the coast Monday evening. There will be an 80-90 percent chance for rain showers and isolated thunderstorms across the coastal plains region Monday afternoon. However, rain amounts should total less than a quarter inch. Here, the chance for rain should diminish early Monday evening.
Dry and slightly cooler air is spreading into the area behind the front. Gusty winds with speeds of 15-25 mph are forecast Monday afternoon. Wind speeds should diminish to 5-10 mph Monday evening and Monday night. Sunny and a little warmer weather will follow on Tuesday.
- Lows Tuesday morning are forecast to be in the upper 40s across the Hill Country, the low 50s across Central Texas, and the mid-50s across the coastal plains
- Highs Tuesday will range from the upper 70s across the Hill Country, towards the coast
- Lows Wednesday morning will include the low and mid-40s across the Hill Country, the upper 40s across Central Texas, and the low 50s coastal area
The highlight of this week’s weather will likely be a Canadian cold front that is predicted to plunge south through our region late Tuesday night into early Wednesday. With so little moisture in place, no rain is forecast with the front. Sunny, cooler, and drier weather will follow the cold front Wednesday through Friday. Brisk northerly winds with speeds of 10-15 mph and gusts to 25 mph can be expected Wednesday, followed by light winds Wednesday night through Friday. Some of the coldest temperatures so far this autumn are forecast Wednesday night. However, widespread freezing temperatures are not expected across the Hill Country region. Many low-lying areas here may experience a light freeze, but most Hill Country locations should stay just above freezing.
- High temperatures Wednesday will range from the low and mid-60s across the Hill Country, to the low 70s across the coastal plains
- Highs Thursday and Friday are predicted to be in the low and mid-70s
- Lows Thursday morning are forecast to be in the mid-30s across the Hill Country, the upper 30s to 40 degrees across Central Texas, and in the low 40s coastal region
- Lows Friday and Saturday mornings will include the low 40s across the Hill Country, the mid-40s across Central Texas, and the upper 40s coastal plains
Sunny and milder weather is forecast for the upcoming weekend as southerly breezes return off the Gulf of Mexico. High temperatures are predicted to be near 80 degrees Saturday, and into the low to mid-80s Sunday. Lows Sunday and Monday mornings look to be in the mid and upper 50s.
The outlook for next week calls for mostly sunny and dry weather Monday through Wednesday. High temperatures Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be in the low and mid-80s. Cooler temperatures are forecast Wednesday through Friday following the passage of a weak cold front. Expect highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, with lows in the 50s.
Long-range forecasts do call for a slight chance for rain Thanksgiving Day and next Friday as a large trough of low pressure develops across the western U.S. The forecast solutions point to a slightly better chance for rain over the weekend following Thanksgiving.
The latest forecast data doesn’t point to any outbreaks of unusually cold air into our region over the next 2-3 week period.
Tropical Weather Update
Over the weekend, tropical Storm Sara moved west across the Yucatan Peninsula and its circulation fell apart. The system was downgraded to a post-tropical storm early Monday. The remnants of Sara could interact with an approaching frontal system and contribute to heavy rainfall along the northern U.S. Gulf Coast during the next couple of days, but tropical storm regeneration appears unlikely due to strong wind shear.
Elsewhere, the tropical Atlantic is quiet and there are no systems in place which pose a threat for tropical development over the next seven days.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season appears to finally be winding down.
Have a great week!
Bob
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