Potentially Stormy Weather Pattern Next Week

Forecast Discussion

With the lack of recent rainfall, the drought across the area continues to worsen. Per the latest drought monitor published today (see below), the majority of central Texas is now considered to be in the moderate drought category with areas of severe drought now across eastern Travis County, western Bastrop County, Caldwell, Hays, and Comal Counties.

There are indications in the medium to long range forecast models that some much needed rainfall may be on the way. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC), in their latest 7 day rainfall outlook (see below), is forecasting the potential for 1-3 inches of rain to fall across the area between now and next Friday with the majority of that rain falling during the middle to latter portions of next week.

Friday - The Weekend

With high pressure in place at the upper levels of the atmosphere, the weather will remain fairly tranquil with increasing moisture levels across the area as persistent southerly winds continue to bring Gulf of Mexico moisture back into the area. Late night/morning low clouds can be expected giving way to partly sunny afternoons. Morning lows in the 60s and afternoon highs in the 80s can be expected. Rain is NOT in the forecast this weekend, but some patchy morning drizzle cannot be ruled out. 

Next Week - Stormy Pattern (especially Wed-Fri)

By the beginning of next week, a large trough of low pressure is expected to take shape across the western United States (a dip in the jet stream) that looks to generate an upper level storm system across the desert southwest (a large, cold, pocket of air aloft) that promotes lift and instability in the atmosphere. As this upper low approaches Texas, the counter-clockwise rotation around this upper level storm system will send disturbances, or ripples in the atmosphere across Texas that will each bring with them a chance for showers and storms. As the main upper system approaches the area and combines forces with a surface cold front, our chances for showers and thunderstorms look to increase dramatically for Wednesday-Friday of next week. Given that we are in March, we will need to keep an eye out for some potential severe weather next week.