Arctic Air Will Be Here Soon

From Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

After being a little under the weather yesterday, I'm back today. Thanks to Craig Carnesi for filling in for me while I was out.

It will be another warm and windy day for us today. Highs should reach the low 80s. The record high for today at Abilene Regional Airport is 83 set back in 1971. Winds are expected from the west-southwest at 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts possible. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for most of the area this afternoon. Please continue to follow all the necessary precautions in order to prevent fires.

Big changes begin tonight as a cold front is expected to arrive during the evening hours. Lows will be in the upper 20s to low 30s. No precipitation is expected with the front. Arctic air will continue to build in behind it though. Highs will likely not make it past the mid to upper 30s on Friday. With breezy conditions expected, wind chills will be at or below freezing all day.

A few upper level disturbances are expected to bring warm and moist air over the cold and dry air in a situation we call overrunning Friday night through Sunday. Since temperatures will be below freezing Friday night and Saturday night, there is a chance we will see rain change to some wintry precipitation. I expect to see mainly freezing rain, freezing drizzle and sleet across most of the Big Country. The northern portions of the viewing area may see a little snow. The reason we will see mainly ice instead of snow is due to the cold air being shallow. Basically, it won't be cold enough throughout the entire atmosphere to support snow. Amounts are expected to be light. I don't expect much in the way of travel problems since there won't be much accumulation. There may be a few slick spots on some bridges and overpasses. Also since temperatures have been very warm the past couple of days, the ground is not cold enough to support whatever does accumulate for too long. Highs on Saturday look to be in the mid 30s, while on Sunday they should reach the mid 40s. This is how the situation looks right now. Things could change, so be sure to stay tuned for the latest information.

Looking into early next week, temperatures should warm back up closer to average for this time of year.

Have a terrific Thursday!