Colder Air Arrives For the Weekend

After the widespread fog and embedded areas of drizzle cleared out this morning, our temperatures were able to soar into the upper 60s and lower 70s across the area. Abundant sunshine and a down sloping west southwesterly wind flow allowed for temperatures to rise so dramatically this afternoon. We officially topped out at 73ºF at Camp Mabry (12 degrees above average for this time of year) and 72ºF at the airport. I think we will see one more spring-like day in the upper 60s and lower 70s on Friday before our next disturbance and cold front arrive with a chance for widely scattered showers and thunderstorms Friday evening/night. 

The showers and storms that are able to develop Friday afternoon/evening will be few and far between, however, the system looks to strengthen as it moves east of central Texas where it will tap into better moisture. Portions of east Texas and western Louisiana are under a MARGINAL RISK for severe thunderstorms Friday evening into Saturday morning. (See image below).

A significantly colder Canadian Air Mass will replace the warm, continental tropical air mass currently in place just in time for the upcoming weekend. Highs on Saturday will only manage the mid 50s across the area on a breezy north wind. With a clear sky overhead and a cold and dry air mass in place, temperatures will easily drop into the 30s area wide Saturday night...low-lying, out-lying areas look to receive a light freeze with a harder freeze possible in the lowest lying creek and river valleys across the Hill Country. We may stay a degree or two above freezing (32ºF) in Austin on Saturday night/Sunday morning, however, it will be close.

Despite a mostly sunny sky on Sunday, highs will only manage the upper 40s to lower 50s Sunday afternoon thanks to the cold and dry air mass in place. Clouds will begin to increase to our west late Sunday ahead of a quick-moving and relatively weak upper air disturbance that looks to bring us increased cloud cover and a SLIGHT chance of some light rain showers on Monday. Another light freeze is possible across the area Sunday night into Monday morning. 

Clouds and rain chances on Monday will keep highs in the 40s across a majority of south central Texas ahead of a warming trend as we head into the middle to end of next week. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!