It’s finally begun to feel like fall thanks to the Canadian cold front which moved through the area late Tuesday.  Minimum temperatures Thursday and Friday mornings were in the 30s and 40s across the region, with a few low-lying Hill Country locations dipping into the 20s. While we didn’t see a widespread freeze, the temperature Thursday morning did reach freezing as far south as La Grange. Austin-Camp Mabry recorded a low temperature of 41 degrees Thursday and 45 degrees Friday. Austin-Bergstrom Airport recorded a low of 33 degrees Thursday and a low of 36 degrees Friday.

A dry and very quiet weather pattern is currently in place across the state thanks to a weak ridge of high pressure in the middle and upper atmosphere stretching north out of Mexico. This quiet pattern is forecast to continue through the weekend and also through much of next week, including Thanksgiving Day, as the high pressure ridge remains over the area. However, some big temperature fluctuations can be expected over the next week, as warm readings making a return, followed by cooler temperatures Thanksgiving through the following weekend.

Here’s a breakdown of expected weather conditions leading up to Thanksgiving:

Friday

Sunny and slightly warmer weather can be expected Friday afternoon.

  • High temperatures are predicted to be in the low and mid-70s
  • Lows Saturday morning will include the low 40s across the Hill Country, the low and mid-40s across Central Texas, and the mid-40s across the coastal plains

Saturday through Sunday

Sunny and warmer weather is forecast both days. Southerly breezes with speeds of 5-10 mph are forecast Saturday. Wind speeds are forecast to increase to a range of 10-15 mph Saturday afternoon and Saturday night as the pressure gradient strengthens across the state. Wind speeds look to increase further to a range of 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph Sunday through Sunday night.

  • High temperatures Saturday are predicted to be in the mid and upper 70s
  • Lows Sunday morning will be in the mid and upper 50s
  • High temperature Sunday are forecast to be in the low 80s
  • Lows Monday morning will range from the mid and upper 50s across the Hill Country, to the mid-60s across the coastal plains

Monday through Wednesday

A sunny to mostly sunny sky and dry weather will continue. Forecasts call for a Pacific cold front to push south across the area Monday evening and Monday night, bringing cooler temperatures for Tuesday. However, southerly winds are predicted to develop Wednesday and will bring a return of warmer temperatures. These warm readings are expected to be short-lived as a stronger Canadian cold front is predicted to push south across the area Wednesday night into Thanksgiving morning. .

  • High temperatures Monday are predicted to be in the mid-80s
  • Lows Tuesday morning will include the low and mid-40s across the Hill Country, the upper 40s to low 50s across Central Texas, and the mid to upper 50s across the coastal plains
  • High temperatures Tuesday will be in the upper 60s to low 70s across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions, and in the upper 70s across the coastal plains
  • Lows Wednesday morning are forecast to be in the mid-50s to low 60s.
  • High temperatures Wednesday are forecast to be in the upper 70s to low 80s
  • Lows Thursday morning will range from the low 50s across the Hill Country, to the low 60s across the coastal plains

Thanksgiving Day

Mostly sunny, breezy, and slightly cooler weather is forecast in the wake of Wednesday night’s cold front.

  • High temperatures will range from the mid-60s across the Hill Country, to the mid-70s towards the coast
  • Lows Friday morning are forecast to be in the upper 30s across the Hill Country, the low 40s across Central Texas, and the mid-40s across the coastal plains

Friday through Next Weekend

Partly cloudy and cooler weather is forecast. Daily high temperatures are forecast to be in the mid and upper 60s. Lows will range from the mid and upper 30s across the Hill Country, to the mid and upper 40s at most other locations.

Looking out into the week of December 2nd, long-range forecasts are pointing to a chance for light rain showers across the area the first half of the week as a weak trough of low pressure moves in from the west. Rain amounts are forecast to remain below a half inch. The cool pattern looks to continue with highs in the 60s, and lows in the 40s.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Weather conditions are quiet across the tropical Atlantic. Conditions appear unfavorable for tropical cyclone development over the next seven days.

Orion the Hunter’s Season in the Sky

November evenings are a great time to say hello to everyone’s favorite constellation: Orion the Hunter. Find Orion now and enjoy it for months to come! Without a doubt, Orion is the easiest-to-identify of all constellations. Look for it in the eastern sky this month, between the hours of 10 pm  and midnight. You’ll notice Orion’s Belt first. The Belt is made of three stars in a short, straight row. The Belt stars aren’t the brightest in the sky. But they’re the reason Orion will catch your eye. And you’ll also notice Orion’s two brightest stars – Betelgeuse and Rigel – shining on opposite sides of the Belt.

You can find this constellation easily. Then you can point it out to your friends!

Have a great weekend!

Bob