Updated 915am CT – Monday / 04 December 2017

… Major Weather Changes to Rainy and Much Cooler Conditions …
… Sunshine Returns with Seasonal Temperatures Late Week into the Weekend …

On the Weather Map…
On the surface map… a trough, or line, of surface low pressure extends south southwestward from Minnesota into the southern Rockies with a strong cold front extending from a surface low over southwest Minnesota into a combination of surface low over Kansas into eastern Colorado where the cold front continues southwestward through New Mexico and Arizona. Surface high pressure to the east over the northeastern USA. As a result of this surface weather pattern, our surface winds across south central Texas are southerly.

On the upper air map… a rather deep trough, or line, of upper level low pressure extends south southwestward from west of Hudson Bay into the southwestern USA. As a result of this upper air weather pattern, the 30,000 foot winds over our area are west northwesterly around 40 mph.

What I am Seeing As I Look Ahead…

As the deep upper level trough, or line, of low pressure moves eastward today into tonight, it will support a rapid movement southeastward of the cold front currently located to our distant northwest. As both systems approach and then move through Texas by later today through tonight, dynamic atmospheric lift and instability will increase and, as a result, rain shower and thunderstorm chances will increase. The front will pass across the IH35 corridor by a little after midnight tonight with much cooler temperatures overspreading the area. Rain chances will diminish after daybreak tomorrow although clouds will linger since part of the upper level trough will remain to our west which will continue to produce a weak overrunning moisture pattern tomorrow into tomorrow night.

Rainfall over the next few days, according to National Weather Service guidance, will average in the range of 1/2 inch to 1 inch.

On Wednesday into Thursday, the last part of the upper air low pressure will cross overhead with a chilly and wet weather pattern expected with temperatures well below seasonal averages.

A more stable late fall weather pattern will develop by Thursday night and Friday with precipitation ending and clouds clearing.

I expect plenty of sunshine for Friday through our upcoming weekend with temperatures around seasonal averages.

Have a good Monday….
Meteorologist Troy Kimmel

Contact me:
tkimmel@austin.utexas.edu
http://www.facebook.com/troykimmel

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Updated 845am CT.. Monday / 04 December 2017

TODAY…. Partly to mostly cloudy with a few rain showers. A 20% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it will average less than 1/10th inch. High 79. South southeasterly wind increasing to 8 to 15 mph.

TONIGHT…. Mostly cloudy with a few rain showers in the evening then scattered rain showers and a few thunderstorms with an associated lightning risk mid evening and continuing overnight. A 20% chance of rain this evening increasing to 60% by late night; where rainfall occurs, it’ll average 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Turning cooler after midnight as a cold front passes. Low 54. South southeasterly wind 5 to 12 mph becoming northerly 8 to 15 mph after midnight.

TUESDAY…. Cloudy and much cooler. Scattered rain showers diminishing after late morning. A 40% chance of morning rain; where it occurs, it’ll average 1/4 inch or less. Temperatures falling to around 50 midday and holding through the afternoon. Northerly wind 8 to 18 mph with some higher gusts.

TUESDAY NIGHT…. Cloudy and colder with a few sprinkles. A 20% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it’ll average trace amounts. Low 40. Northerly wind 8 to 15 mph with some higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY…. Cloudy and unseasonably cool with scattered rain showers. A 50% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it’ll average less than 1/4 inch. High 48. Northerly wind 5 to 12 mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…. Cloudy with scattered rain showers. A 50% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it’ll average less than 1/4 inch. Low 40. Northerly wind 5 to 10 mph.

THURSDAY…. Mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles. A 20% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it will average less than 1/10th inch. High 52. Northerly wind 5 to 10 mph.

THURSDAY NIGHT…. Decreasing clouds early becoming mostly clear and colder. A light freeze possible in outlying and low lying areas. Low 34. Light west northwesterly wind.

FRIDAY…. Sunshine. High 62. Northwesterly wind increasing to 10 to 20 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT…. Clear. Low 37. Light northerly wind.

SATURDAY…. Sunshine. High 66. Northeasterly wind 4 to 8 mph.

SATURDAY NIGHT …. Clear. Low 37. Light northeasterly wind.

SUNDAY…. Sunshine. High 69. Light easterly wind becoming southeasterly by afternoon.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE / 8 TO 14 DAY OUTLOOK
Valid Monday / 11 December 2017 through Sunday / 17 December 2017…
Temperature… Near Average
Precipitation… Below Average

AUSTIN SUNSET/SUNRISE TIMES…..
Sunrise this morning (04 December)………………………………. 7:12 am
Sunset this evening (04 December)………………………………… 5:30 pm
Sunrise tomorrow (05 December)…………………………………… 7:13 am
Sunset tomorrow (05 December)……………………………………. 5:30 pm