Summer-esque Warmth

Forecast Discussion

A strong frontal system moving through the center of the country is responsible for the breezy southerly winds today and the summer-like temperatures. As of the latest update, Camp Mabry and Austin Bergstrom International Airport both peaked at 90°F this afternoon. Surprisingly enough, these numbers are not records. Back on this day in 1996, the mercury soared to 94°F at Austin Bergstrom International Airport and 95°F at Camp Mabry. The hottest recorded temperature in Austin in the month of February stands at 101°F set back in the abnormally hot February of 1996. The normal high for this time of year is 67°F. Areas to our southwest along the Texas-Mexico Border are experiencing triple digit temperatures. As of 5 p.m. CST, Laredo International Airport is reporting 100°F.

National Temperature Map as of 5 p.m. CST Thursday

Breezy Winds Today/Friday

Gusty southerly winds have developed across the area in response to a deepening (strengthening) area of surface low pressure currently located in southwest Kansas. Windy and dry conditions in west Texas have kicked up blowing dust in places like El Paso, Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, Abilene, and Wichita Falls. That blowing dust is actually visible from space on the latest scans of visible satellite imagery (see below). Areas on the backside and to the north of the surface low are dealing with below freezing temperatures and snow. 

Radar/Visible Satellite/Surface Analysis as of 5 p.m. CST Thursday

Slightly Cooler Friday, Near Normal Saturday

A surface cold front currently extends west southwest of the surface low in Kansas into New Mexico. This cold front will be arriving in our neck of the woods tomorrow morning. Breezy northwesterly winds behind the front tomorrow will help to drop afternoon highs from the upper 80s/lower 90s we experienced today into the 70s to lower 80s Friday afternoon, which is still well above normal for this time of year. The colder air does not arrive until late Friday night into early Saturday morning when temperatures are forecast to drop into the upper 30s/lower 40s across the area. Afternoon highs on Saturday under a mainly sunny sky will be closer to normal for this time of year in the 60s.