Dry and quiet weather conditions continue across the region as we start off this new week. Just when we thought summer temperatures were behind us, summer made an unpleasant return on Sunday, causing the temperature to climb above 100 degrees across most of the Hill Country. Widespread mid and upper 90s were reported across Central Texas while coastal areas saw readings in the low and mid-90s. For several locations, this was the latest, or very close to the latest in the year for such hot temperatures. Fortunately, Sunday’s heat is on its way out as cooler air is spreading into Texas behind a cold front. As of early Monday afternoon, the cold front stretched from Longview, to near San Marcos to north of Del Rio. The front is forecast to continue pushing south this afternoon and should move off the middle Texas coast this evening. No rain is expected along or behind the cold front as the atmosphere will be too dry. An area of dust originating in West Texas is being observed just behind the front. A large dome of Canadian high pressure building south behind the cold front will cause breezy north winds at 10-15 mph, with occasional gusts to 25 mph. Today’s sky will be sunny. Afternoon high temperatures will range from the low 80s across the Hill Country to the mid and upper 80s across Central Texas to the low 90s across the coastal plains.
Clear and noticeably cooler conditions are predicted for Monday night. Wind speeds should decrease to 5-10 mph after sunset. Lows Tuesday morning will include the low 50s across the Hill Country, the mid-50s across Central Texas and the low to mid-60s across the coastal plains.
Sunny and dry weather is forecast Tuesday through Thursday as our region remains under a broad, stable ridge of high pressure. However, temperatures will trend warmer. Highs Tuesday will generally be in the upper 80s. Highs Wednesday will range from the mid-90s across the Hill Country to the low 90s across Central Texas to the upper 80s near the coast. Highs Thursday will generally be in the mid-80s. Lows Wednesday morning will include the mid and upper 50s across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions and the mid-60s across the coastal plains. Lows Thursday morning will be in the low and mid-60s.
A strong cold front is forecast to sweep south across Texas Thursday when a vigorous trough of low pressure pushes east across the Plains states. No rain is forecast with the front when it crosses the Hill Country and the Austin/Interstate 35 corridor. However, there may be just enough moisture in place to produce a few scattered rain showers along the cold front for areas east of Interstate 35 Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. Rain amounts, if any, should only average around a tenth of an inch.
Windy conditions look to develop behind the cold front beginning Thursday afternoon, continuing through Friday afternoon. Expect northerly winds at 20-30 mph, with occasional gusts of 35-40 mph.
Noticeably cooler temperatures will follow the cold front Thursday night through Saturday:
- Lows Friday morning will include the upper 40s across the Hill Country, the low and mid-50s across Central Texas and the upper 50s to low 60s across the coastal plains.
- High temperatures Friday will generally be in the low 70s, with mid-70s towards the coast.
- Lows Saturday morning will include the mid and upper-40s across the Hill Country, be near 50-52 degrees across Central Texas and in the mid-50s across the coastal plains.
- High temperatures Saturday will be in the upper 70s.
- Lows Sunday morning will range from the mid-50s west to the low 60s near the coast.
Forecasts call for sunny and dry conditions this weekend and all of next week as our region remains under the influence of a stable, ridge of high pressure situated over the Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Two cold fronts are forecast to push across Texas next week. The first front is expected Monday night with the second one next Thursday. No rain is expected with either front. High temperatures Monday through Thursday are forecast to generally be in the upper 70s to low 80s. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 50s to low 60s. Temperatures are predicted to trend slightly cooler late next week.
Tropical Weather Update
National Hurricane Center forecasters are monitoring an area of showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located over the central tropical Atlantic, about 750 miles east of the Windward Islands. This system continues to show signs of organization and slow development of this system will be possible during the next day or so while it moves westward near 15 mph. Strong upper-level winds are expected to limit further development by midweek. NHC forecasters give this system a 30 percent chance for development over the next 5 days.
Elsewhere, weather conditions are quiet and tropical storm development is not expected.
Record Heat Sunday
Austin-Camp Mabry’s high temperature of 99 degrees Sunday not only set a record high temperature for the date, but it was also the second latest 99 degree temperature on record dating back to 1897. The latest 99 degree on temperature was set on October 12, 2015. And the latest 100 degree temperature on record was set October 2, 1938.
Bob
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