In the wake of Friday’s cold front, weekend temperatures turned significantly colder. Highs were generally in the 40s and 50s, with lows in the 20s and 30s. The temperature fell to or below freezing across most the region Sunday morning. Lows included the low, mid, and upper 20s across the Hill Country, the low 30s across Central Texas, and the mid to upper 30s across the coastal plains. According to LCRA’s Hydromet, the lowest observed temperature was 18 degrees at a gauge located southeast of Abilene, in Callahan County. A light freeze occurred across parts of the Hill Country and Central Texas early Monday morning, but most areas stayed above freezing.
The chilly temperatures we saw over the weekend will be the last of winter’s cold we will see for a good while. Significantly milder, spring-like temperatures are forecast to develop this week and continue through late next week.
A sunny and dry weather pattern is forecast to take hold across Texas for the next several days as a stable ridge of high pressure spreads east out of Mexico. The cold dome of Canadian high pressure which spread south across Texas over the weekend has now shifted east to the Mississippi Valley. Southerly breezes have returned to the area along with warmer temperatures. The temperature is predicted to trend progressively warmer Tuesday through Thursday as southerly breezes pull warm air north from the Gulf. Low clouds and some patchy fog will be possible Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Otherwise, the sky will be mostly sunny throughout the week.
Breezy conditions are forecast to develop Wednesday and Thursday. Expect southerly winds at 10-20 mph, with occasional gusts to 30 mph.
- Monday’s high temperature is forecast to be around 68-70 degrees, with mid-60s towards the coast.
- Lows Tuesday morning will range from the low 40s west, to the upper 40s near the coast.
- High temperatures Tuesday are forecast to be in the mid and upper 70s.
- Lows Wednesday morning will include the low and mid-50s across the Hill Country, with upper 50s at most other locations.
- Lows Thursday morning are forecast to be near 58-60 degrees.
- High temperatures Thursday are predicted to be around 80-82 degrees.
A Pacific cold front is forecast to slide south across Texas Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing just slightly cooler temperatures for Friday and the weekend. No rain is expected with the cold front. High temperatures Friday are predicted to be in the low 70s, warming to the mid-70s Saturday and the upper 70s Sunday. Lows throughout the period are forecast to be in the 50s.
Looking ahead to next week, dry and mild weather conditions are forecast to continue as the storm track and the jet stream are predicted to remain well to the north of Texas. Long-range forecast solutions don’t indicate any strong cold fronts on the horizon. Also of note, our region is currently in the grips of a dry weather. And the latest outlook for March does not looking very promising for the development of significant rain. The next chance for rain looks to occur sometime around March 3rd or 4th.
Have a good week.
Bob
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