Chilly Weekend in Store, but nowhere near as cold as originally advertised

Forecast Discussion

The return of sunshine today has allowed temperatures to climb into the 70s across the majority of central Texas this afternoon. As of 3 p.m. CST, the temperature at Austin’s Camp Mabry has climbed to 74° and along the west runway at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, the temperature has climbed to 77°.

Low clouds and areas of fog will build back in across the area late tonight as temperatures cool into the upper 40s to lower 50s across the region. Increased cloud cover on Friday can be expected ahead of our next frontal system that will be cooling things off in a big way for the upcoming weekend. While the bulk of the really cold air associated with this next cold front will stay well north and east of central Texas, we will have just enough of it around to make for a chilly weekend. Forecast models were initially indicating a significantly colder air mass to move into the area earlier this week, but models have warmed significantly over the past couple of days and are indicating that rain chances will be much smaller than originally anticipated for Friday and Friday night as the much advertised cold front blows through the area.

Saturday Forecast Map (surface fronts, sea level pressure, precipitation type)
Forecast map valid 6 a.m. Saturday Morning

Day by Day Forecast

Let’s break down the forecast day by day through the weekend and into your M.L.K Holiday

Tonight: 53° | low clouds increase with areas of fog developing

Friday: 71° | dreary morning gives way to a mainly cloudy, but mild afternoon; 20% chance of a shower along and especially east of the Interstate 35 corridor

Friday Night: 45° | Cold front approaches the area from the northwest and sparks a 30% chance for a shower or brief thunderstorm late (especially east and southeast of the Austin Metro Area)

Saturday: 56° | Mostly sunny, WINDY, and much colder; wind gusts over 30 mph possible

Saturday Night: 36° | Mostly clear, breezy and cold; light freeze possible north & west of Austin

Sunday: 57° | Sunny and cool

Sunday Night: 38° | Mainly clear & chilly

M.L.K Day: 65° | Mainly sunny & warmer with a southerly breeze

*Temperatures above reflect downtown Austin