Updated 845am CST Tuesday / 19 February 2013
Active Weather Pattern Continuing Across the Area …
Low Pressure Storm System and Cold Front with Rain and Thunderstorms Mid Week …
Dry Weather Late Week into the Weekend …
On this Tuesday… a cold front extends southwestward from Alabama into the Gulf of Mexico then westward into south Texas. High pressure.. behind the front.. is over Oklahoma. As a result of this pressure pattern, surface winds are light northeasterly across our area.
In the upper levels of the atmosphere, a broad trough of upper air low pressure extends south southeastward from the Great Lakes into the southeastern USA. Another southeastward moving stronger trough.. or line.. of upper air low pressure extends southward along the Washington.. Oregon and California coast. As a result of this upper air wind flow, our upper level winds are moderate westerly.
In the wake of last night’s cold front.. we’re seeing a break in the clouds with slightly cooler temperatures and much drier air. By later today into tonight, however, the strengthening upper air low pressure system along the west coast of the USA will approach the area with a return southerly wind bringing back moisture and clouds to our area quickly.
The upper air storm system will move slowly across the area tomorrow through Wednesday night and early Thursday with abundant atmospheric lift and instability so we will see a good chance of rain with stronger thunderstorms in the forecast. Some hail and strong straight line thunderstorm winds are possible with a beneficial general 1/4 to 3/4 inch of rainfall possible. The southeastward moving cold front will finally move southeastward through the area in the wake of the upper air disturbance by mid morning rush hour Thursday. Clouds and rain chances will taper off in the wake of the Thursday morning front.
A drier and more stable air mass will prevail in the wake of the Thursday morning cold front all the way through late week and into the weekend.
Another low pressure area and cold front will move through Texas on Monday with another slim chance of rain showers and thunderstorms.
Have a good Tuesday night and Wednesday…
Meteorologist Troy Kimmel
Contact me:
tkimmel@austin.utexas.edu
http://www.facebook.com/troykimmel