Weather conditions are quiet across the area as we start off the new week. Forecasts are calling for a couple of storm systems to move across Texas this week, but neither system is expected to bring much rain. The biggest weather feature this week looks to be the wind, with quite windy weather expected Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Another light freeze will be possible late this week.
Considerable middle and high-level clouds are currently spreading across Texas in advance of an area of low pressure located over southern California and northwestern Mexico. These clouds will cause a mostly cloudy sky this afternoon and evening. Afternoon temperatures will be warmer, compared to this weekend. Highs will range from the mid-60s across the Hill Country, to the mid-70s across the coastal plains. Expect a southerly wind at 10-15 mph.
A slight chance for rain showers and even a couple of isolated thunderstorms will develop beginning around midnight Monday night as weak atmospheric lift spreads over Texas ahead of the upper low. A chance for mainly light rain showers will continue overnight and into Tuesday morning as the upper low tracks across northern Mexico and eventually lifts northeast into the Plains states. The probability for rain will be near 70 percent. The chance for rain will end from west to east Tuesday morning as drier air spreads into the area behind a Pacific cold front. With limited moisture in place, rain amounts are not expected to be very heavy, with most totals averaging around a tenth of an inch, or less.
Breezy to windy conditions are predicted to develop across much of the region beginning late Monday evening as the pressure gradient increases ahead of the approaching low. Forecasts call for south and southwesterly winds to increase to sustained speeds of 20-30 mph, with gusts to 40-45 mph across the Hill Country and the Interstate 35 corridor Monday evening, with similar winds continuing through Tuesday morning. For the eastern counties of Central Texas and the coastal plains, expect southerly winds at 15-25 mph, with some gusts to 35 mph.
The National Weather Service has posted a Wind Advisory for the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor, including Austin, from 9 pm Tuesday evening through noon Tuesday. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects and tree limbs could be blown down. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle.
Clouds will clear and the sky will become mostly sunny Tuesday afternoon behind the Pacific cold front. Expect breezy conditions to continue Tuesday afternoon, with southwesterly winds at 15-25 mph. Wind speeds should decrease to 10-15 mph Tuesday night. Tuesday’s high temperature will range from the upper 60s across the Hill Country, to the upper 70s across the coastal plains. Lows Wednesday morning will be near 48-50 degrees.
Wednesday is shaping up to be mostly sunny, breezy, and warm as a Pacific low pressure system dives southeast out of the southern Rockies. Expect southerly winds at 10-20 mph, with gusts to 30 mph. Wednesday’s temperature is forecast to climb to near 78-80 degrees.
Forecasts call for a slight chance for rain showers and isolated thunderstorms to develop after midnight Wednesday night for areas along and east of Interstate 35 as a Pacific cold front moves across the area. The chance for rain will only be near 20-30 percent. Rain amounts, if any, should total less than a tenth of an inch.
Noticeably cooler air is forecast to spread south into the region Thursday morning into early Thursday afternoon behind a Canadian cold front. In fact, a light freeze is forecast for the Hill Country and parts of Central Texas Friday and Saturday mornings. Strong northerly winds with speeds of 15-25 mph are forecast Thursday into Thursday evening, with lighter winds on Friday. A clear sky is predicted for Thursday night and Friday. High temperatures Thursday and Friday are forecast to only be in the low 50s. Lows Friday and Saturday mornings will include the upper 20s across the Hill Country, the low and mid-30s across Central Texas, and the mid-30s across the coastal plains.
The outlook for the upcoming weekend calls for a mostly sunny sky both days. Saturday will be a little cool, with highs in the upper 50s. Highs Sunday are predicted to be near 70-72 degrees.
Looking ahead to next week, forecasts call for dry weather Monday, with a slight chance to a chance for rain showers next Tuesday through Thursday as a trough of low pressure slowly moves east out of northern Mexico. The best chance for rain looks to occur next Thursday. Temperatures are expected to be fairly mild, with highs around 70 degrees, and lows around 50 degrees.
The Planets Jupiter and Venus are Converging
When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west. The two brightest planets in the sky, Venus and Jupiter, will be shining brightly in the twilight sky. Over the next two weeks, the two planets will be converging for a close encounter only 2 weeks from now. At their closest approach on March 1st, the two planets will be just 0.5 degrees apart–a beautiful pairing and one of the best sky photo ops of 2023. They’re already an eye-catching pair.
Bob
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