Updated  130pm Tuesday / 7 February 2012

…. Clouds Continue On and Off as Pattern of Southwestern Upper Lows Continues ….
…. Rain Chances Increase Again Late Week as Disturbances Move Overhead ….
…. Seasonal Temperatures Continue Through Much of the Next Seven Day Period ….

On this Tuesday… a southeastward moving cold front is located from eastern Kansas into a low pressure area over western Oklahoma into southwest Texas. High pressure is located over northern Mississippi. As a result of this surface pressure pattern, a light and variable surface wind is blowing across our area.

In the upper levels of the atmosphere… a rather broad area of upper air low pressure disturbance is moving eastward over the central and northern plains states while another low pressure area is approaching the west coast of the United States. As a result of this pressure pattern, the upper air winds over our area of Texas are moderate westerly.

Surface high pressure.. to our east..  continues to dominate the area as the westerly upper air flow continues to prevail overhead. Clouds have broken over the area as one upper level low over the plains states moves eastward.

This pattern shows little change over the next few days.. as another upper level low moves into the western USA and the clouds pick back up again.

A reinforcing cold front will move through the area tonight with slightly cooler temperatures taking hold. Clouds will be on the increase again with rain chances, still on the slim side, pick back up by the end of the week into the weekend with an overrunning pattern with the continued progression of upper level lows into the southwestern USA.

Longer range forecast guidance suggests a little warmer temperatures with continued cloudiness and slim rain chances for early next week.

My forecast confidence through this week is high. My forecast confidence for the coming weekend is medium to high.

For Austin and south central Texas… tonight will see clouds picking back up again. Lows in the 40s with a northerly wind in the wake of a cold front. For tomorrow, expect a mostly cloudy sky. Highs in the 50s with a northerly wind.

Have a good Monday night and Tuesday…
Meteorologist Troy Kimmel