Austin-American Statesman > Weather Watch
Springtime conditions expected this weekend
It should feel like springtime in Austin this weekend.
Temperatures are expected to remain mild this weekend, with highs near 70 and lows in the 50s, said Pat McDonald, a forecaster for the National Weather Service. Saturday could see some light showers; the weather service is predicting a 20 percent chance of rain.
A cold front will blow in Sunday, dropping temperatures to the upper 30s or low 40s Sunday night and Monday morning. Highs on Sunday will be in the mid to upper 70s with a 50 percent chance of morning and afternoon showers, McDonald said.
But the spring weather wont last long, another cold front is expected to blow in Tuesday. The weather service is predicting a high near 40 and a 20 percent chance of a rain/snow mixture, McDonald said.
Is this recent rainfall unusual?
The weather service released a hydrological outlook this morning that said rainfall totals in the Austin/San Antonio area “since January 1st are 150 to 450 percent of normal.”
According to the outlook, the past six months have been the second wettest on record for the area. The outlook said the area will see below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall for the next few months, which could also provide increased chances for flooding.
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Sunny, chilly today, with cloudy days arriving Friday
We’re getting a sunny but chilly start Thursday, with a high near 62 and clouds rolling in later today, according to the National Weather Service.
So still grab those jackets or sweaters. The low tonight is slated to reach 45, the service said.
Enjoy the sun today, because mostly cloudy days appear headed our way starting tomorrow, with a chance for showers by Sunday and perhaps into next week.
The weekend is expected to be warm, though, with highs near 70 and lows in the mid-50s.
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Cool weather continues, with light freeze tonight
The sweater weather continues, with temperatures slated to reach a high of 59 today, according to the National Weather Service.
North to northwest wind is around 5 miles per hour, the service said.
Tonight, a light chill is headed our way with a low of about 27.
The rest of the week’s outlook brings much of the same, with more sunny days and temperatures hovering in the 60s and lows closer to the mid-30s.
By the end of the week, however, winds could reach gusts as high as 20 miles per hour, with a chance of showers by Friday, the service said.
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Cold front drops temperatures twenty degrees
A cold front blew into the Austin area about 3 p.m. today, dropping temperatures 25 degrees and bringing in a strong wind, according to the National Weather Service.
The service has issued a high wind advisory through the night and areas could see gusts of up to 40 mph.
Marianne Sutton, a meteorologist with the service, said the temperature at 5 p.m. was 45 degrees, a noticeable difference from earlier today when temperatures were in the upper 60s. There is also a slight chance for thunderstorms tonight.
Sutton said the strong winds will last through tonight, but should calm by morning. She said temperatures would probably hover above freezing and some areas in the Hill Country could see a light freeze.
“It was nice earlier but now it’s good snuggle weather for Valentine’s Day,” Sutton said.
The cooler weather will continue tomorrow with highs expected to be in the 50s with sunny skies.
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Icy patches could pop up in morning commute
Colder temperatures near freezing Friday morning could cause some icy patches on roads, according to the National Weather Service.
Pat McDonald, a meteorologist with the service said in Austin the expected temperature Friday morning will hoover above freezing. Remaining water from the rains Thursday and Wednesday could turn into shallow, icy patches, he said.
He said the Hill Country has a higher chance of freezing temperatures and a higher chance of seeing icy roads. The greatest possibility for ice is around 5 a.m. until 8 a.m.
“However, we should mention that some areas with water on the road like overpasses, bridges and low-lying areas are the most-likely areas to form ice,” McDonald said. “I hate to say it but it’s going to cause some accidents and some traffic problems, but this is the commuter’s reminder to take it easy out there.”
Cloudy skies should clear up mid-morning, bringing temperature up to a possible 50 degrees. Temperatures could dip down again at night into the 30s.
By Saturday, all clouds should clear and the sun could bring temperatures up as warm as 60 degrees.
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Thorndale ISD to start 2 hours late Friday
According to information released by Thorndale ISD, classes will begin two hours later on Friday, February 12 due to weather.
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Sleet widely reported north of Austin
The National Weather service has received a few calls from residents in the Northern Travis County area from people who are driving in a little bit of sleet.
Robert Blaha, a meteorologist with the service, said he had received calls from Round Rock, Pflugerville and north west of Austin from drivers who said they were driving through sleet.
Blaha said less than one tenth of an inch has probably fallen in the area.
He said the sleet is not expected to last through 8 p.m. tonight.
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Less rain, but still cold expected in Austin area tonight
Here’s something to think about: It’s been as hot as 101 degrees in February in Austin. But that was back in 1996.
Today, we’ve had temperatures in the low 40s, with light rain. Tonight is expected to be colder, with temperatures near freezing.
The chance for mostly rain remains at 100 percent for rest of the afternoon, changing to 70 percent tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures near freezing tonight mean some of rain could fall as snow or sleet, the weather service said., and there could be some patches of ice Friday morning as small puddles freeze.
The rain is expected to clear out after midnight, and Friday is expected to be dry and slightly warmer, the weather service says.
Central Texas has seen only a few tenths of an inch of rainfall in the past 24 hours, according to readings from the Lower Colorado River Authority. The heaviest totals have been to the east, where more Gulf moisture has moved in.
Officially, Austin-Bersgstrom International Airport has seen about 0.18 of an inch in since midnight. Camp Mabry has seen 0.12 inches.
The same system has brought several inches of snow to North and West Texas, causing problems for travelers.
Tomorrow and the weekend is expected to be sunny and warmer, with highs in the mid 50s and low 60s.
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Snow slows travel across Texas; some Austin flights canceled
Snow blanketed parts of Texas in a winter storm that slowed traffic and led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, including several to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
The National Weather Service says snow was reported Thursday morning in Amarillo, Lubbock, Tyler and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
American Airlines spokesman Steve Schlachter told The Associated Press that the Fort Worth-based carrier had canceled 478 flights systemwide Thursday.
Southwest Airlines, with its main hub at Dallas Love Field, said it was monitoring the weather system. Southwest advised travelers in the Baltimore-Washington, Philadelphia and New York City areas that many of its flights had been canceled Thursday.
At Austin’s airport, several flights to and from Lubbock, D-FW and the East Coast have been canceled today.
Meantime, the East Coast is digging out from record-breaking blizzard conditions.
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Rain and sleet expected to continue overnight
Rain and sleet that has fallen across parts of Central Texas today is expected to continue into the evening and overnight, officials with the National Weather Service say. But officials are quick to point out that no accumulations of ice and snow are expected.
Since midnight, Central Texas has seen a few hundredths of an inch of rain, some of it falling as sleet, according to readings from the Lower Colorado River Authority. Officially 0.03 inches has fallen at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said Steve Smart, a forecaster with the weather service.
Readers reported sleet across the area this afternoon, including South Austin, downtown and Round Rock.
The rest of the evening could see a few more hundredths of an inch of rain and sleet, Smart said, as Pacific moisture moves across the area fueled by a low pressure system over California.
The low tonight is expected to be near freezing, the weather service said, and tomorrow’s high will only be in the low 40s.
The low pressure system is expected to move over Texas by tomorrow, bringing more rain as it pulls in moisture from the Gulf, Smart said.
As much as a half an inch of rain and sleet could fall in the Austin area tomorrow, he said. The heaviest accumulations will likely fall to areas east of Interstate 35, he said.
But because ground temperatures will stay above freezing, no accumulations are expected, Smart said.
Things should begin clearing up — and warming up — by Friday morning and throughout the weekend, with partly sunny skies and highs in the 50s.
Photo by Rodolfo Gonzalez, American-Statesman
Colleen Kehoe, 21, a University of Texas French major, takes cover with her yellow umbrella as she leaves campus walking past the iconic “Hi, How Are You” mural near the University of Texas campus in Austin.
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Sleet reported, but few problems in the forecast
UPDATE 12:40 p.m.: Some sleet has been reported in parts of the Austin area this afternoon. There is a 30 percent chance of rain and sleet today, with more expected tonight. However, the National Weather Service has said accumulations are not likely.
EARLIER: Blame the groundhog for seeing his shadow: We’re not quite out of winter yet.
It was hovering around freezing this morning, and the National Weather Service has put the chance of snow or sleet in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning.
It shouldn’t create too many problems, though, because ground temperatures will remain above freezing. Little or no accumulations of sleet and snow are expected across Central Texas, including in the Hill Country, said Steve Smart, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.
The high today will remain in the low 40s, and cold rain is expected this afternoon, as an upper-level disturbance brings moisture into the area.
The overnight low the next few nights is expected to be close to freezing, the weather service said.
Streets will probably be wet for tomorrow’s morning drive, but Smart said ice will likely not be a factor, even on most bridges and overpasses.
The weekend will begin to warm up, with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs in the 50s.
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Several flights to and from East Coast canceled in Austin
Although the Austin area is not likely to have much snow or sleet the next few days, the white stuff is affecting travelers at the airport this morning.
Several flights at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to and from the East Coast have been canceled today, the airport’s Web site shows.
Snow, wind and slush hounded eastern commuters early Wednesday as blizzard warnings from Baltimore to New York City heralded the second major storm in a region already largely blanketed by weekend snowfall, The Associated Press said.
More than 10 inches of new snow fell before dawn in parts of Maryland that had received up to 30 inches just a few days earlier. Plows and salt spreaders fought heavy snow in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where the flakes briefly turned to rain to make a slushy mix.
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Several Austin flights canceled because of snow storm
About a dozen flights have been canceled today and Wednesday at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport because of a snow storm in the Midwest and Northeast.
Jim Halbrook, a spokesman for the airport, said three Continental flights Wednesday to the Newark, N.J., airport have already been canceled. Five other arrivals and departures — with destinations ranging from Baltimore, Chicago and Washington, D.C. — were canceled today.
Halbrook said anyone planning a flight tonight or Wednesday to the Midwest or Northeast from Austin should check travel plans on the airport’s flight information Web site.
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Forecasters backing off chance of snow in Austin
It looks like the chances for snow in Austin this week were about as short-lived as snow in Austin.
Yesterday, the National Weather Service put the chance of snow and sleet Wednesday and Thursday as high as 80 percent. Their forecasters have backed down today, putting the chance for rain and snow Friday at 50 percent.
It’ll still be cold this week — with temperatures not expected to get past the mid-40s through Friday. And there is still rain in the forecast, with a 70 percent chance Wednesday night and into Thursday.
A cold front blew into the Austin area yesterday morning, bringing as much as 2 inches of rain in some places. The recent rains have also helped water levels in lakes Travis and Buchanan.
Today should be mostly sunny and cold, with temperatures in the mid-40s.
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Lake Travis level restored, other lakes on their way
Lake levels in Central Texas are restored and others are on their way because of the rain patterns from El Nino, said Lower Colorado River Authority meteorologist Bob Rose.
Rose said Lake Travis, at 671 feet, has surpassed its February average of 670 feet. The last time Lake Travis was at capacity was March 2008, he said.
Lake Buchanan is about nine feet below its 1,012-foot average, standing at 1003.5 feet.
For both lakes, the lowest levels recorded last year were in early October.
“We are typically this wet in December, January or February, but it has been a pretty wet year because of El Nino,” Rose said. “Usually we get the most rain in late spring, but patterns are showing us we will continue to get rain throughout spring, which will add to the runoffs in the lakes, rising the levels.”
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Rain expected to clear out of Austin area this afternoon
A cold front that moved through the area this afternoon has pushed the rain out of the Austin area and is expected to keep temperatures low for most of this week, said Joe Baskin, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.
Areas to the east of the Austin area, including Bastrop and Caldwell counties, could still see some heavy storms, including small hail, until 5 p.m., the weather service said.
Since midnight, Central Texas saw as much as 0.8 inches of rain, the Lower Colorado River Authority is reporting.
Austin-Bergstrom International Aiport has seen 0.46 of an inch since midnight, Baskin said, with most of that — a third of an inch — falling between 2 and 3 p.m. Camp Mabry saw 0.33 inch since midnight, Baskin said. Some showers are possible this afternoon, the weather service said. A flood advisory that had been in effect until 3:15 p.m. has been canceled, Baskin said.
The cold weather is expected to hang around this week, the weather service is reporting. Tomorrow is expected to be windy, clear and cold, with a high in the mid-40s.
The chances for rain, snow and sleet pick up for Wednesday and Thursday as a system moving in from the west draws moisture from the Gulf into Central Texas, Baskin said. At this point, there is a 70 to 80 percent chance of snow and sleet Wednesday night and Thursday, the weather service said.
Friday is expected to be mostly cloudy and warmer, with a high in the 50s, the weather service said.
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Flood advisory for Travis, Williamson counties
From the National Weather Service:
The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued an
Urban and small stream flood advisory for minor flooding of poor drainage areas in… Travis county… Williamson county…
Until 315 pm CST.
At 122 pm cst showers and thunderstorms increasing across Travis and Williamson counties will produce brief heavy rains.
Brief heavy downpours across Travis and Williamson counties including the austin metropolitan area will cause minor flooding of streets. Rainfall amounts between one half and one inch are possible over the next one to two hours. Motorists should exercise caution.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Do not drive where water covers the road. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles…Including SUVs and pickups. Turn around don`t drown.
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Chance of snow later this week in Austin area
The National Weather Service says to expect some “interesting” weather later this week.
Chances at this point are low, but freezing temperatures Wednesday and Thursday could bring some snow and sleet to the Austin area, the weather service said.
For now, the showers spread throughout the Austin-area this morning are expected to clear out this afternoon. Some parts of Austin could see up to an inch of rain today, said Joe Baskin, a forecaster for the National Weather Service.
Baskin said an incoming cold front will blow away the moisture, leaving temperatures in the mid 30s tonight. You wont need an umbrella tomorrow — there’s a zero percent chance of rain. Highs tomorrow will be in the mid to low 40s, Baskin said.
Baskin said the weather gets “interesting” Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures near freezing and the chances for icy conditions.
It should be mostly cloudy and slightly warmer Friday, the weather service said.
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Despite gray skies, little rain has fallen in Austin area
Although it’s been cloudy and gray outside, the Austin area has seen a couple of hundredths of an inch of rain since noon, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority.
There is a 30 percent chance of rain today and overnight, the National Weather Service is reporting, and Friday is expected to be partly cloudy and cool, with highs in the 60s.
Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 50s. Rain chances return Sunday and Monday.
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Rain, rain soon expected to go away
Those soggy shoes could have a chance to dry out this afternoon, when the chance of rain drops to 20 percent.
“After noon there will most likely be lingering showers,” said Amanda Fanning, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. “But after today, it’ll clear out for the weekend.”
Rainfall totals for the past 24 hours have been between 0.5 and 1.5 inches across Central Texas, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Camp Mabry saw a little less than an inch yesterday, Fanning said.
Expect partly cloudy skies on Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 50s and 60s, Fanning said. A 30 percent chance of rain will make Sunday a little cloudy, prepping Austin for a cold front to move in on Monday, Fanning said.
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It’s cold and rainy, and it will stay that way all day
That rain that likely made your commute a soggy crawl this morning will continue throughout the day and night, according to the National Weather Service.
The rain will be heavy at times, and up to 2 inches could fall today across Central Texas, the weather service says. Making the rain feel slightly more miserable, the high temperature likely won’t break 50 degrees today, either.
The showers will continue through tonight and possibly into tomorrow (there’s a 40 percent chance for rain on Thursday). The high tomorrow is only expected to reach about 48 degrees again.
As you splash to your car, getting wet and cold, just remember that the Austin area is coming out of one of its worst droughts ever recorded. The wet fall and winter have helped, and even before today, Austin has had more rain than average for the month and year-to-date. That rain has helped fill our area lakes: Lake Travis, which at one point last summer resembled a pudddle in areas, is at 663 feet (full is 681).
If you can hang in there until Friday, it is supposed to get much better. The weather service says it will be 66 and dry that day.
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February likely to be a wet month
Continuous rain and 20 mph wind will make the rest of today chilly and damp, and there won’t be much relief for the rest of the month, said Robert Valha, forecaster with the National Weather Service.
“We’re setting up for a wet February,” Valha said.
Valha said this rain pattern is similar the fall’s rainy months, as well as other winters Austin has seen in 2004 and 2007.
Rain will diminish this evening but chances of the wet stuff will stick around until Thursday, Valha said.
“Another system may come tomorrow to bring some rain,” Valha said. “It will be something that comes and goes, not like today, it’s persistent rain all day.”
Expect clear skies for the weekend with highs in the 60s as clouds move east, however, more cold weather and clouds will return to make Sunday and possibly Monday similar to this week.
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Rain expected throughout the week
Get your umbrella ready for some heavy rain this week.
Chances of heavy rain start Tuesday afternoon and will last until Friday morning, said Pat McDonald, forecaster for the National Weather Service. Computer models are predicting 2 to 4 inches of rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday, which could cause some problems for low water crossings, he said.
Today’s drizzle and fog should clear up by about 1 p.m. leaving better visibility. Expect highs in the upper 40s and a low near 40 tonight. There is also a 20 percent chance of light rain starting at 1 p.m., McDonald said.
Temperatures are expected to climb Tuesday, with a high of 60, but the afternoon will also bring a 30 percent chance of rain, McDonald said.
Wednesday may be cold and miserable, combining an 80 percent chance of gusty rain with, with lows and highs in the 40s. Chances of rain will slightly decrease to 70 percent Wednesday night and 60 percent Thursday. Thursday may also feel nasty, with a high in the lower 40s, McDonald said.
McDonald said the rain should subside late Friday morning.
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Barton Springs Pool closed temporarily due to flooding
The Austin parks department has temporarily closed Barton Springs Pool due to flooding, according to a press release.
The pool will re-open after flooding stops and staff cleans the pool of debris and silt, the release said.
Also, parks department has temporarily extended Deep Eddy Pool’s hours to make room for Barton Springs Pool patrons.
Beginning Saturday Deep Eddy will be open during these times:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Sundays and Saturdays 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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Rain out, cold in
Storms that dropped about an inch of rain over the Austin area overnight and earlier today have moved out of Central Texas, according to the National Weather Service.
The thunderstorms prompted road closures and forced the Lower Colorado River Authority to open flood gates along the Highland Lakes.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Morris said a front following the rain will drop temperatures into the lower 30s and upper 20s overnight. He said the lows will stay around 30 degrees through the weekend. The highs will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s.
“The front is through, the rain has ended and we’re going to start to see a drop in temperatures overnight tonight,” he said.
Morris said an inch of rain fell at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport from midnight to 3:15 p.m. During the same period .96 inches of rain fell at Camp Mabry.
The weather service this morning issued a flood warning for those living and working along the San Gabriel River’s south fork near Georgetown and along Berry Creek.
Morris said the warning might be canceled overnight or tomorrow morning.
This morning, officials reported that Onion Creek near Buda this morning had spilled out of its banks. Morris said water likely has gone down in the area.
“We are kind of seeing a pretty decent decrease,” Morris said. “If there is any water on roads right now, it will start to decline.”
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Flood gates open along Highland Lakes
The showers and thunderstorms pelting much of Central Texas this morning should clear up by evening, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, the precipitation has prompted road closures and spurred the Lower Colorado River Authority to open flood gates along the Highland Lakes.
Willie Mackey tries to stay dry while walking in the rain along East 11th Street on Friday — Jay Janner/American-Statesman.
Overnight rains have increased flow in the Llano River and Sandy Creek, which flow into Lake LBJ. To maintain Lake LBJ within its operating range, LCRA is passing water through hydroelectric generation units and a partially open floodgate at Wirtz Dam, according to an LCRA announcment.
The authority also has opened two floodgates at Starcke Dam. The flows are then making their way into Lake Travis, which is about 10.4 feet below its historic January average due to drought conditions and low inflows since fall 2007.
As of 9 a.m. only Sandy Creek near Kingsland is above bankfull stage and flowing at 4,200 cubic feet per second. The Llano River at Llano is not above bankfull stage but is flowing at about 10,000 cubic feet per second, according to the LCRA announcement.
Lakeside residents and lake users immediately downstream of the dams should take necessary precautions against possible high flows and higher lake levels, the LCRA warns. Unscheduled releases could occur at any of the Highland Lakes dams without notice.
The Austin-Travis County Emergency Conditions Web site has been updated with the following road closures:
Ross Road
Old Kimbro Road
Littig Road
Bitting School Road
The Uhland Road low water crossing over the Blanco River in San Marcos was closed at 11:30 a.m. because of high water, city officials said.
Emergency officials were called out earlier for a water rescue on U.S. 290 East. Paramedics evaluated the occupants of a vehicle that was trapped in a low water crossing; no one was taken to the hospital.
The weather service this morning issued a flood warning for those living and working along the San Gabriel River’s south fork near Georgetown and along Berry Creek.
Officials report that Onion Creek near Buda this morning had spilled out of its banks.
The flooding can make low-water crossings particularly treacherous, officials said, adding that motorists should exercise extreme caution and watch avoid crossings where water covers the road.
And a multi-car pileup temporarily closed southbound Interstate 35 North in the 8900 block.
UPDATE: The Austin Energy Storm Center is reporting that 79 customers in West and Northwest Austin are without power.
The high today is expected to be near 45 with winds from the north northwest of about 15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low around 28, the weather service reports.
Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Saturday night likely will be mostly clear, with a low around 28, according to the weather service.
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Scattered thunderstorms possible during rush hour
There’s a slight chance of a downpour during rush hour today, but the heaviest scattered thunderstorms Austin is likely to see will happened between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Monte Oaks, a meteorologist, said that “rush hour today will be complicated by brief moderate rain and there is a lesser chance of heavy rain during rush hour than late tonight.”
He added that the heaviest storms will likely happen between midnight and 3 a.m. Friday. After the rain passes, a cold front is likely to hit the area, blowing in much cooler air than we’ve experienced in the last week, Oaks said.
He said Friday morning will see temperatures close to 40 degrees with light rain and cloudy skies. High temperatures tomorrow are expected to reach the upper 40s or low 50s. Oaks said the skies will clear up just in time for a peek at the setting sun.
Saturday and Sunday morning temperatures are expected to be freezing, but temperatures will warm up after Sunday.
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Only trace of rain today, but heavier storms expected
Although parts of the Austin area and Hill Country have seen up to a half an inch of rain in the past 12 hours, heavier rain is expected this afternoon.
Several bands of showers and thunderstorms, some severe and possibly bringing hail, are expected to move across the region this afternoon and into the evening, the National Weather Service said. Up to two inches could fall by tonight, the weather service is forecasting.
Officially, the weather service is reporting only a trace of rain has fallen at Camp Mabry in the past six hours.
A cold front is set to arrive overnight Friday, bringing highs in the mid 40s, with some rain in the morning.
Although the weather service had earlier forecast some sleet for Friday morning, forecaster Joe Baskin said the chances are slim.
“By the time the cold air gets here, most of the rain will have moved on to the east,” Baskin said.
The weekend is expected to be sunny to partly sunny, with highs in the 50s and overnight lows in the upper 20s.
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Heavy storms possible throughout the day
There’s an ominous-looking graphic on the National Weather Service’s homepage that makes it look as if the only thing missing from today’s weather forecast is Charlton Heston.
But how severe is the rain going to get?
Joe Baskin, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, says we can expect up to 1 to 2 inches of rain today and tonight, some thunderstorms and possibly hail.
“A rather strong upper-level system, coming out of northern New Mexico and moving east across Texas today, is spinning counterclockwise,” Baskin said. “That spin creates spots of instability, and we’re seeing lines of activity stacked up to our west, kind of like airport landing patterns. As this thing moves to the east, those spokes of energy move across, giving us a shot of thunderstorms, then a break, then another.”
There are showers and light rain in the area now, Baskin said. The first impressive system is over the Hill Country now and could reach the Austin area around noon, he said. Those lines of thunderstorms will move across Austin throughout the day, with the heaviest storms starting around rush hour through midnight, Baskin said.
A cold front is set to arrive Friday, bringing highs in the mid 40s, with some rain in the morning.
Although the weather service’s forecast calls for some sleet Friday morning, Baskin said the chances are slim.
“By the time the cold air gets here, most of the rain will have moved on to the east,” Baskin said.
The weekend is expected to be sunny to partly sunny, with highs in the 50s and overnight lows in the upper 20s.
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Skywatchers in for a treat Friday night
From an announcement from the University of Texas:
Providing the weather cooperates, one of the skywatching highlights of the year takes place Friday night, as the full Moon and the planet Mars march high across the sky, according to StarDate magazine, a publication of UT McDonald Observatory.
The forecast Friday night calls for partly cloudy skies, a low around 30 and wind out of the north-northwest between 10 and 15 mph. Mars and the moon will be low in the east-northeast at nightfall, with the Red Planet to the left of the moon.
Mars will look like a brilliant orange star.
One reason this is such a grand spectacle is that Mars is at opposition Friday, which means it lines up opposite the Sun as Earth passes by Mars in our smaller, faster orbit around the Sun.
Mars will rise about sunset and remain in view all night — if it’s not obscured by clouds. High-resolution images and high-definition video animation of the event will be available online at StarDate’s Media Center.
The planet is also closest to us around opposition, so it shines brightest for the year.
The gap between Mars and Earth will be a hefty 62 million miles. The smallest possible distance at opposition is about 35 million miles, which happened a few years ago. Mars appeared more than twice as bright then as it will this year.
Even so, only the moon, the planets Venus and Jupiter, and the star Sirius shine brighter than Mars. And since Venus will be out of view in the Sun’s glare Friday, Mars will rank as the fourth-brightest object in the night sky.
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Thunderstorms, hail possible Thursday night
Daytime temperatures today and tomorrow should remain pleasant, but expect some nasty weather tomorrow night.
Temperatures for today and tomorrow should be about the same, with highs near 65 and lows of about 60, said Joe Baskin, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. A cold front will blow in tomorrow night, bringing strong winds and possible thunderstorms and hail. Rain and sleet are possible Friday morning, the weather service says.
Baskin said to expect some drizzle and light rain this afternoon.
Friday morning will be chilly in the 40s and with a high of about 50, Baskin said.
The weekend will see freezing temperatures, so bundle up. Lows Saturday and Sunday will be in the mid 20s and highs will be in the low 50s, Baskin said.
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Wind advisory issued
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory notice until 6 p.m. for the Austin area because of strong gusts that could reach up to 40 mph.
Winds could stay around 25 to 30 mph and should subside by Sunday evening.
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Expect sun, pleasant temperatures this afternoon
Austinites should expect this morning’s humidity to last until about lunchtime.
By 1 p.m., the sun should start peeking out, and temperatures should warm up to about 74 degrees, said meteorologist Pat McDonald with the National Weather Service.
It’s going to be sweater weather tonight with a low in the mid to low 50s. McDonald said a weak front will blow in, giving Austin cool, dry air. So expect a blue, sunny sky in the morning Thursday.
Thursday afternoon, like today, will also warm up to about 75 degrees but without the humidity. If you’re going out at night, you might need a jacket with lows in the lower 40’s.
McDonald said Friday and Saturday will bring chances of rain. Friday will be gusty with winds blowing 10-20 mph and a 20 percent chance of rain. Saturday afternoon will have a 30 percent chance of rain.
Sunday and Monday will be cooler, returning to seasonal norms, McDonald said. Highs will be around 60 and lows near the mid 40s.
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Cedar pollen to be high this week
With active tree pollen in the air, it’s no surprise that allergies are acting up. For the next few days, the cedar count will be extremely high, reported Dr. Kim T. Hovanky with the Allergy/Asthma/Immunology Clinic of Georgetown.
Mold and grass counts are low, but tree pollen counts will be high throughout the week.
“I think the biggest villain here is the cedar,” said LCRA meteorologist Bob Rose. “We’re seeing some of the highest levels we’ve seen in a long time.”
Rose said people with allergies won’t see much relief once the cedar count is down since spring pollen is soon to follow.
Also, patchy fog and overcast skies are expected throughout the day, said Amanda Fanning, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.
Highs today will be in the mid 70s, with an overnight low in the upper 50s. There is a 20 percent chance of rain, Fanning said.
To see the full forecast, click here.
There will also be another mild cold front coming in on Friday, but heavy rain is not likely.
“There could be a slight chance of thunderstorms later this week,” Fanning said. “But it’ll mainly be some stream showers.”
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Fog, rain chance in next few days
After last week’s good soaking that Travis County got, rain chances will return to the forecast after Tuesday — even with a few thunderstorms possible.
Tonight’s low is expected to be chilly again, in the low 40s and by morning some fog is possible in low-lying areas. Light winds will be from the west, at just about 5 mph.
Expect a high tomorrow of around 68, but Sunday night temps will drop back into the mid-40s with more fog possible after midnight.
Winds will shift Monday to the south, and by Tuesday — when highs are expected to creep into the 70s again — a 30 percent chance of showers will be in the forecast. That chance will shift to a 20-percent chance of thunderstorms by Wednesday, when the high is expected to be in the low 70 again.
But by that night, the chance of rain should disappear and partly cloudy skies with daytime highs in the upper 60s, and overnight lows in the mid- to upper-40s should stick around through Friday.
By Friday night, a 30-percent chance of thunderstorms is back in the forecast —Â but just for a time, as highs on Saturday are expected to be around 70 under partly sunny skies.
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Rain record set
Let’s all give a hearty round of applause to Friday’s nasty weather, which broke 2004 record for the most rainfall on that date at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
More than 1.3 inches of rain — 1.32 for all you taking notes at home — fell Friday at the airport. The old record was .78 inches, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Morris.
Take that, 2004!
Sadly, precipitation at Camp Mabry failed to conquer the 1922 record of 1.79 inches in a single day. Friday brought 1.73 inches at Mabry.
Frankly, Mabry rain, the Statesman Weather Staff is a little disgusted by your lack of effort. You obviously weren’t in it to win it.
On the bright side, mild weather is making a comeback here in Austin. Our good friend Morris predicts temperatures in the upper 50s today. Even the lows will give us a break, likely only dipping to the high 30s.
Tomorrow it should be in the upper 60s and by midweek — dare we believe? — it will be in the 70s.
How very retro.
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