We have to get through two more days of unseasonable heat before cooler, fall-like weather will finally make an appearance. Going back to Sunday, afternoon temperatures were nothing short of amazing! Temperatures at many locations along and near the Interstate 35 corridor reached the triple digits. These temperatures weren’t only records for the date, they were also the latest triple digit readings ever recorded so late in the year and some of the warmest readings ever recorded in the month of October!
Monday’s temperatures across the Hill Country and most of Central Texas are not forecast to be quite as hot as what we saw on Sunday. This is due to a weak cold front that is pushing south out of North Texas. As of early Monday afternoon, the front stretched from Lufkin, to Austin, to near Fort Stockton. The cold front is predicted to sink south close to the Interstate 10 corridor this evening, then stall overnight. The front is forecast to quickly lift back to the north as a warm front Tuesday. With so little moisture in place, no clouds or rain are forecast with the front. Monday’s temperature is forecast to be a little cooler for areas behind the front.
- Highs will range from the upper 80s across the northern Hill Country, the mid-90s around the Austin area, to the upper 90s across the coastal plains
- Lows Tuesday morning will included the upper 50s across the Hill Country, the low 60s across Central Texas, and the mid-60s across the coastal plains
Tuesday is shaping up to be a sunny and hot day across the region as the front moves back to the north and southwesterly breezes develop.
- Tuesday’s high temperature is forecast to be in the upper 90s across the Austin/Central Texas area, and in the mid-90s across the Hill Country and coastal area
The much anticipated cold front, with cool fall-like air, is forecast to push south across the region Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. This front, like the last one, is expected to be dry. This front will be the strongest cold front our region has seen so far this autumn. In the wake of the front, northeasterly winds of 10-15 mph with gust to 25 mph are forecast to develop Tuesday night, continue through Wednesday.
Cool, Canadian air is forecast to spread across the region Wednesday, with the cool air mass expected to remain in place through the upcoming weekend. A sunny sky is forecast through the period. The change in the temperatures will certainly be noticeable this time around with highs roughly about 15 to 20 degrees less on Wednesday compared to Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday nights are shaping up to be the coolest nights of the week.
- Lows Wednesday morning will range from the upper 50s across the Hill Country, to the mid-60s near the coast
- Lows Thursday morning are forecast to be in the upper 40s across the Hill Country, near 50-52 degrees across Central Texas, and in low to mid-50s across the coastal plains
- Lows Friday morning are forecast to be in the mid and upper 50s
- Lows Saturday and Sunday mornings are forecast to be in the 60s
- High temperatures Wednesday will range from the low 70s across the northern Hill Country, to the upper 70s towards the coast
- High temperatures Thursday are forecast to be near 80-82 degrees
- High temperatures Friday through Sunday are forecast to be in the low 80s
Changes in the weather pattern are forecast to take place late Friday, continuing through the weekend as southerly winds bring a return of milder and more humid air. Meanwhile, a large trough of low pressure is forecast to push into the Desert Southwest Saturday, then lift north across the Rockies Saturday into Sunday. The trough is expected to pull moisture inland off the Gulf of Mexico beginning late Friday. Weak disturbances flowing through the trough and into Texas are expected to cause the development of some scattered light rain showers across the region Saturday through Sunday. The chance for rain both days will only be near 20 percent.
Rain amounts through Sunday are forecast to average around a tenth of an inch, or less.
Looking ahead to next week, forecasts call for generally dry and warm weather as a weak ridge of high pressure spreads over Texas. Daily high temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 80s, with lows in the mid and upper 60s.
Tropical Weather Update
There are no active storms across the tropical Atlantic at the current time.
NHC forecasters indicate a broad area of low pressure is likely to form over the southwestern Caribbean Sea by the middle to latter part of this week. Some development will be is possible thereafter if the system can stay over water while it moves slowly west-northwestward towards northern Central America. Due to the strong cold front pressing south into the Gulf later this week, this potential tropical system poses little to no threat to the Texas coast. NHC forecasters are giving this system a 20 percent chance for tropical development over the next seven days.
The National Hurricane Center is also monitoring a well-defined area of low pressure located roughly midway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles. This system is producing limited shower and thunderstorm activity. The disturbance is currently embedded in a dry air environment, and development is unlikely over the next couple of days. However, this system is forecast to move generally westward toward warmer waters, and environmental conditions could become more favorable for gradual development by the middle to latter part of this week. A tropical depression could form as the system begins moving west-northwestward and approaches or moves near the Leeward Islands late this week. Once again, due to the cold front pressing south into the Gulf this week, this system poses no threat to the western Gulf of Mexico.
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas Has Become a Naked-Eye Object
Observers are reporting the comet has brightened up enough such that it is now visible to the naked eye and it is quite a site! The comet will be visible after sunset all of this week and through the upcoming weekend.
The comet pops out of evening twilight about 40 minutes after sunset. To see it, you’ll need a clear view of the western horizon. Find the bright planet Venus and look to the right; Venus and the comet are at about the same altitude. Binoculars are highly recommended to fully enjoy the pinprick brightness of the comet’s head and the flowing structure of its magnificent tail.
The comet will appear a bit higher above the western horizon each evening this week. And note; the comet is moving away from us, and thereby getting a bit fainter each day. So don’t procrastinate.
Bob
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