It was nice to see the return of sunshine and a little weather over the weekend as last week’s arctic air mass shifted off to the east. While the days have been a little warmer recently, nighttime temperatures have still been cold, with readings falling into the 20s and 30s. This pattern of mild daytime and cold nighttime temperatures is expected to persist throughout the week. No unusually cold air is on the near-term horizon.
A Canadian cold front quietly tracked southeast out of North Texas early this morning. The front shifted the wind out of the north and brought wind speeds up to 10-15 mph. Otherwise, the front just reinforced the dry and cool conditions that were already in place. This afternoon, expect a sunny sky with temperatures climbing to around 58-60 degrees. It will be cold again tonight, with a light freeze expected across the Hill Country and most of Central Texas. Lows Tuesday morning are forecast to be near 28-30 degrees across the Hill Country, near 30-32 degrees across Central Texas and in the mid-30s across the coastal plains.
Sunny and dry weather is forecast across the region Tuesday through Friday as Texas remains under the influence of a dry, northwesterly wind flow in the middle and upper atmosphere. At the surface, a weak cold front is forecast to approach our region on Thursday, but have little effect on our weather. Temperatures will slowly warm through late week.
- High temperatures will be in the low and mid 60s Tuesday and Wednesday, warming to upper 60s Thursday, and be close to 70 degrees on Friday.
- Low temperatures Wednesday through Saturday mornings will generally be in the low 30s across the Hill Country, in the mid and upper 30s across Central Texas and near 38-40 degrees across the coastal plains.
For this upcoming weekend, sunny and dry weather looks to continue. A dry cold front is forecast to push across our area Saturday morning, bringing in some slightly cooler air. High temperatures Saturday will be in the low 60s, warming back to the mid-60s on Sunday. Lows Sunday morning will range from the upper 20s across the Hill Country, to the mid and upper 30s near the coast. Lows Monday morning will range from the low 30s across the Hill Country to around 40 degrees towards the coast.
Looking ahead to next week, mostly sunny and dry weather is forecast Monday and Tuesday. High temperatures are predicted to be in the 60s, with lows in the 40s to the low 50s.
Changes to the quiet and dry weather pattern are forecast to take place next Wednesday through Friday, when a large area of low pressure off the coast of California ejects northeastward crossing the Desert Southwest, northern Mexico, and Northwestern Texas. This system is expected to pull moisture north from the Gulf, resulting in an increased chance for rain showers and thunderstorms across much of Texas beginning next Wednesday, continuing through next Friday. As of now, rain amounts are not shaping up to be very heavy, with most totals predicted to be around a half inch or less. Little change in the temperature is forecast for the second half of next week. Highs should remain in the 60s, with lows in the 40s.
Venus Shining at its Brightest
Venus is the brightest planet. But it’s blazingly bright right now; you can’t miss it! Look in the direction of sunrise on any clear early morning this week. When it’s this bright, Venus appears as an eerily eye-catching beacon, low in the dawn sky. It’s visible in bright morning twilight, then starts to fade as the sun begins to rise. Venus will reach its greatest illuminated extent in our sky on this Wednesday, February 9th. After February, 9th, Venus won’t appear this bright in our sky again until July, 2023.
Have a good week.
Bob
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