Updated 915am CT – Thursday / 03 May 2018
… Rain and Stronger Thunderstorm Chances …
… Drier and More Stable Weather Pattern Returns Late Weekend into Next Week …
On the Weather Map…
On the surface map… surface high pressure is to our distant east off the southeastern coast of the USA over the western Atlantic Ocean basin. Within a trough, or line, of surface low pressure, a cold front extends from the Great Lakes southwestward into a surface low over the Oklahoma/Texas panhandle with the cold front then extending southward through west Texas and into northern Mexico. As a result of this surface weather pattern, our surface winds over south central Texas are south southeasterly.
On the upper air map… a ridge, or line, of upper level high pressure extends northeastward from the northern Gulf of Mexico into the southeastern USA. A deep, potent upper level low pressure area, within a broad trough, or line, of low pressure over the western half of the USA, is located over eastern Colorado. As a result of the upper air weather pattern, the 30,000 foot winds over our local area are southwesterly around 60 mph.
What I am Seeing As I Look Ahead…
As the dynamic upper level low pressure area to our distant west move eastward, a moist and increasingly unstable air mass continues across our area of Texas.
A few sprinkles along with a few rain showers and thunderstorms will continue in the forecast through tonight before precipitation chances peak tomorrow into tomorrow night as the weak cold front and the associated upper air low pressure disturbance out west moves eastward over Texas. I still feel that the best instability and dynamics will be to our north; the NWS/Storm Prediction Center meteorologists are continuing to highlight local areas for a marginal to slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon into Friday. NWS/Weather Prediction Center guidance still suggests upwards of 1 to 1 1/2 inches of rain for the period with the heaviest totals being over the Texas Hill Country to our west.
In the wake of the cold front tomorrow into tomorrow night, rain chances will taper off as slightly drier and more stable air spreads over the area early Saturday.
As a result, I expect this return to sunshine Sunday into the early part of next week.
Have a good Thursday..
Meteorologist Troy Kimmel
Contact me:
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/troykimmel
—
Updated 845am CT… Thursday / 03 May 2018
TODAY…. Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, with an associated lightning risk. A 40% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it will average 1/4 inch or less. High 85. South southeasterly wind 8 to 15 mph with some higher gusts.
TONIGHT…. A cloudy sky with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, with an associated lightning risk. A 50% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it will average 1/4 inch or less. Low 70. South southeasterly wind 8 to 15 mph with some higher gusts.
FRIDAY…. A cloudy sky with numerous rain showers and thunderstorms, with an associated lightning risk, as a cold front passes by late afternoon. A 60% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it will average 1/4 to 1/2 inch. High 78. Southerly wind 5 to 12 mph becoming north northeasterly late in the afternoon.
FRIDAY NIGHT…. A cloudy sky and turning a little cooler with numerous rain showers and thunderstorms, with an associated lightning risk. Rain chances decrease after midnight. A 60% chance of rain; where rainfall occurs, it will average 1/4 to 1/2 inch with isolated higher totals. Low 61. North northeasterly wind 5 to 12 mph.
SATURDAY…. Mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles and rain showers through 11am. Decreasing clouds in the afternoon. A 20% chance of rain in the morning; where rainfall occurs, it will average trace amounts. High 80. North northeasterly wind 5 to 10 mph.
SATURDAY NIGHT…. Partly cloudy. Low 60. Light northeasterly wind.
SUNDAY…. Mostly sunny. High 84. Light north northeasterly wind.
SUNDAY NIGHT…. Mostly clear. Low 60. Light southeasterly wind becoming calm after midnight.
MONDAY…. Mostly sunny. High 86. South southeasterly wind 5 to 12 mph.
MONDAY NIGHT…. Mostly clear. Low 63. Southeasterly wind 4 to 8 mph.
TUESDAY…. Mostly sunny. High 88. South southeasterly wind 5 to 12 mph.
TUESDAY NIGHT…. Partly cloudy. Low 65. Southeasterly wind 4 to 8 mph.
WEDNESDAY…. Morning low clouds otherwise partly cloudy. High 88. South southeasterly wind 8 to 15 mph.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE / 8 TO 14 DAY OUTLOOK
Valid Thursday / 10 May 2018 through Wednesday / 16 May 2018…
Temperatures… Above Average
Precipitation… Below Average
AUSTIN SUNSET/SUNRISE TIMES…..
Sunrise this morning (03 May)………………………………………… 6:46 am
Sunset this evening (03 May)………………………………………….. 8:10 pm
Sunrise tomorrow (04 May)…………………………………………….. 6:45 am
Sunset tomorrow (04 May)……………………………………………… 8:11 pm