Friday, August 31, 2007

Holiday Weekend Looking Good

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Below average temperatures remained in the Big Country today with highs in the mid 80s to low 90s. Some isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms developed across parts of the area this afternoon. They will likely last until sunset and then die out with the loss of daytime heating.

Drier air looks to filter into the region this weekend. With less moisture in place, our chance for rain Saturday and Sunday will be slight at best. If you have any outdoor plans, they should be fine since it is more likely we will be dry and anything that does develop will be isolated. Highs for the weekend look to be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Beginning Labor Day and lasting through the next work week, more moisture should return to the Big Country. Some upper level disturbances could move into the area so there will be a chance for rain each day. Those chances range from 20% to 30% with the best shots being on Tuesday and Wednesday. Highs during this time period look to be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Holiday Weekend Weather

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly...

Friday has come and the holiday weekend weather may be cooperating.
The cold front that pushed through the area last night has stalled out in the hill country. Showers and Thunderstorms will be greatest down around the I 10 corridor however we are not going to rule out storms in our area. The best chance will be in our Southern counties for today and tomorrow. Sunday looks like our best day with plenty of sunshine and temperatures back in the low 90's.

High pressure still dominates to the west which puts us in northwest flow aloft. Since we are in northwest flow we could again see disturbances pass through which will aid in the chance for showers and storms. We should stay in this flow until an upper level low forms over the Lone Star state the beginning of next week. This will bring back rain chances, with the best chance from next Tuesday to Thursday.

Temperatures will stay in the upper 80's with lows in the upper 60's.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Thursday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

The cold front we have been talking about all week moved through the area this morning. We did see some showers and thunderstorms this afternoon behind the front thanks to an upper level disturbance. None of the storms were severe, but they were capable of producing heavy rain, lightning, pea size hail and winds of 40 to 50 mph. Temperatures were only slightly cooler today as highs ranged from the low 80s to low 90s across the viewing area.

It now looks like the front will stall in south Texas instead of our area. This will reduce our rain chances for the rest of the week. We are still going to hold on to a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms for tomorrow and a 20% chance on Saturday due to the area remaining in a northerly flow aloft. Another factor that will limit our chance for rain is drier air moving into the Big Country. Dewpoints look to be lower this weekend and Labor Day. Highs for Friday and Saturday should be in the upper 80s.

With a lack of significant moisture Sunday and Monday, the chance for rain will only be slight. Highs are expected to remain in the upper 80s.

More moisture could return to the region beginning on Tuesday. With our flow aloft remaining from the north, we will increase the chance for rain back to 20% for the middle part of next week. Highs should still be in the upper 80s.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Thursday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly...

Just after midnight we saw rainfall here in Abilene, picking up just over a half an inch and the Abilene Regional Airport. Temperatures this morning are staying in the low 70's.

Through the day today we will see a better chance for showers and thunderstorms. The cold front that has made its move through the Lone Star state is just north of Throckmorton and Haskell counties this morning. It should push further south today bringing with it a lifting mechanism for our rain along with cloud cover and cooler temperatures. Highs today will be in the mid to upper 80's.

Tomorrow we will see northwest flow aloft thanks to a strong upper level ridge out west. This could push disturbances through and bring more rain chances for the start of the weekend. The front should stall out in our just around our area and eventually washing out. This will leave better chance for outdoor activities by the end of the weekend and out Labor Day. I will keep 20% in the forecast with only a slight chance on the holiday.
Temperatures will be in the upper 80's with lows in the upper 60's.

Have a great day and don't forget the umbrella!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Wednesday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We had mostly cloudy skies as well as some showers and thunderstorms develop across the area this afternoon. Highs were mainly in the upper 80s to low 90s with the exception of Brownwood which reached 97 again today.

The rain that developed today was due to a weak low pressure trough that was close to and in the eastern portions of the Big Country. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible Thursday through Saturday due to a cold front which should arrive tomorrow and then stall through the first half of the weekend. The chance for rain is 40%. It is possible for us to see heavy rain at times because these showers and thunderstorms should have plenty of moisture to feed off of and could be slow moving too. Highs during this time period look to be in the mid to upper 80s, but could be cooler depending on how much rain and cloud cover we see.

The front may still be hanging around on Sunday so we will keep a 30% chance for rain in the forecast. Highs will be in the upper 80s under partly cloudy skies.

For the first half of next week, there may be some upper level disturbances rolling through or close to the region. This may cause some showers and thunderstorms to develop. The chance for rain is 20%. Highs for Monday, Labor Day, through next Wednesday are expected to be in the upper 80s.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Wednesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

Yesterday, we saw a cloudless morning but by the afternoon the cumulous clouds formed with even a few isolated showers and thunderstorms popping up around the area thanks to the daytime heating. Overnight has stayed fairly clear with lows right around 70.

Today we will see partly cloudy skies with chance of showers and thunderstorms. The front that has been pushing through US is currently draped from the great lakes to just north of the Panhandle. Today it should stay north of our area but will gradually push father south and make it through the Big Country tomorrow morning or early afternoon. This will help us increase the rain chances for tomorrow and Friday. The front should stall over the area which will keep the rain chances around for the beginning of the holiday weekend. The front will knock highs back to the mid to upper 80's.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Tuesday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Seasonal temperatures continued for much of the Big Country today with highs mainly in the low 90s. Brownwood did manage to make it to 97 this afternoon. A few small isolated showers and weak thunderstorms developed over the eastern portions of the viewing area during the late afternoon hours, but they were all short lived and should end once the sun sets tonight.

A cold front that is currently moving into central plains is expected to arrive in the Big Country by Thursday. It is then expected to stall through at least the first half of the weekend. Our chance for rain will be slight tomorrow, but by Thursday and Friday it is 30%. For Saturday, the chance of rain is 40%. With decent chances for rain in the forecast, it looks like we will need to take the rain gear with us to the football games this weekend. Highs during this time period will be in the mid to upper 80s.

Some upper level disturbances could affect the area Sunday and early next week. The chance for rain on Sunday is 30%, but it drops to 20% for Monday and next Tuesday. Highs look to be in the upper 80s.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

We saw a very clear and calm overnight perfect weather for the viewing of the total lunar eclipse that happened at just before 5 am and lasted until 6:22 am. If you weren't able to make it out, don't fret the next one will be happening February 21, 2008.

Today we will see weather just as beautiful as it has been the last few days. We will see plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the lower 90's. Right where we should be for the end of August. We could see an isolated shower or thunderstorm mainly in our southeastern counties and that will be the trend over the next week.

Rain chances will gradually increase each day. With a northwest flow developing aloft and a front approaching the Panhandle we will see the lifting factors we need to bump the rain chances up. The front looks to hang out just north of our area but could gradually push closer toward us by the end of the week and stall out. With more cloud cover and rain we will see highs drop to the mid to upper 80's just in time for our Labor Day
holiday. You may need to push the picnic inside!

Have a great day!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Dry For Now, Rain Possible Later This Week

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

It was a typical late August day for us here in the Big Country. Lows this morning were in the low 70s and highs were in the low 90s. This is exactly where we should be this time of year for temperatures. It did feel a little warmer than that thanks to dewpoints running in the mid to upper 60s.

Tuesday looks to be similar to today with highs in the low 90s under partly cloudy skies.

A cold front that is currently in the northern plains is expected to make its way slowly southward during the week. It is possible that for us to see some rain late Wednesday into Thursday, but better chances for rain will be on Friday and Saturday as the front finally arrives in our area and stalls for a bit. The chance for rain starts out slight on Wednesday and tops out at 40% on Saturday. Highs are expected to be in the low 90s Wednesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be cooler with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

The chance for rain will continue at 30% on Sunday and 20% next Monday. Highs look to be around 90.

Don't forget about the lunar eclipse tonight. Well actually, it will be early tomorrow morning. The total eclipse will begin for us at 4:52 a.m. and ends at 6:22 a.m. If you have a chance, get out and take a look at it because the next total lunar eclipse won't be until February 21, 2008.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Monday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly...

It was a warm and dry weekend across the Big Country with highs in the lower 90's. We will continue to see the nice weather across the area until midweek.

With an upper level ridge still dominating we will see mostly sunny skies and seasonably warm temperatures in the low 90's. We are also seeing drier weather so it should feel more comfortable in the afternoon.

By mid week we could see a few disturbances be pushed through the area aloft along with a frontal boundary being pushed down and arriving in our area toward the end of the week. Rain chances will be at slight Wednesday increasing to 20% for Thursday and 30% for Friday. With the front highs will drop back to the upper 80's.

Have a great day!

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sunday Afternoon Update....

From Meteorologist Nathan Motz.....

Another warm and dry day across west central Texas this Sunday, when will we break the monotony? Not for a few more days it appears as temperatures will remain in the low to mid 90's area-wide through at least Wednesday.

By Thursday we begin to pick up a slight chance for rain as the center of high pressure over the southern half of the country slides to the west and allows weak northerly flow aloft to develop overhead. Weak disturbances in the northerly flow aloft could cause isolated t-storms on Thursday into Friday.

The best chance of rain will hold off until Saturday as a weak cool front will try to make its way into the area. This is the time of year that we begin to see the first cool fronts of the season make their way south after the long hot summer months (which weren't really all that hot this summer). The front is forecast to stall across the area and if it decides to hang around a while, rain chances may have to be increased for next Sunday as well.

Overnight lows remain in the low to mid 70's throughout this upcoming week.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Saturday Evening Post

From Meteorologist Nathan Motz......

Not too many changes to discuss today, although there were a few isolated showers that did pop up to the northeast of Abilene in eastern Shackelford county. These showers fired up around the hottest part of the day and persisted until around 7 pm before dying out as the sun began to sink over the western horizon.

For the rest of tonight, a few upper level clouds will continue to drift across the area and temperatures will fall into the low to mid 70's. Winds will remain calm out of the south at 5-10 mph.

A couple more warm & dry days separate us from changes coming up towards the end of the work week as a cool front will try to push south across the area late Thursday night into Friday morning. As it does we will begin to see a chance for isolated to widely scattered showers & t-storms starting on Wednesday and continuing into the early part of next weekend. Right now, however, it appears that the best chance of rain will be on Friday as the cool front actually passes through the area.

Have a sensational Saturday!!!

Friday, August 24, 2007

Friday Night Update

Good Evening from Meteorologist Kristen Connolly...

It was a warm, breezy and sunny day across the area as temperatures stayed in the upper 80's to low 90's. We are going to continue to see dry weather in our area through the weekend.

A cold front has stalled out just to the North of the panhandle with showers and thunderstorms popping up along the boundary. The front shouldn't make any more of a progression southward so the activity should stay isolated to the panhandle and red river valley area. With high pressure to the east we will see lots of sunshine and temperatures around average in the low 90's. The winds which have been a relief this week should kick back a bit but still bring in some moisture hence the humidity is going no where fast.

As the kids head back to school they can leave the rain gear at home but should keep it close. Tuesday we will return the rain chances to the forecast. They best chance will come mid week as a different cold front will move through the area. This should knock temperatures just a few degrees back but will bring with it a lot more cloud cover and scattered showers.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Thursday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We were a little warmer across the Big Country today. Highs were in the upper 80s to low 90s. Brownwood was the hot spot at 97. It was windy today with winds from the south at 2o to 25 mph and gusts of 26 to 31 mph. This was due to a tight pressure gradient being right over us. We have high pressure to our southeast and a low pressure trough to our west. When these features are close together like they are today, we get breezy to windy conditions. A Flood Warning continues for the Clear Fork Brazos River at Fort Griffin in Shackelford county until Friday afternoon. The river is running about 3 feet above flood stage in that area.

Friday and Saturday are looking dry right now with highs in the low 90s under partly cloudy skies.

A stationary front that is currently in the central plains looks to make its way into the Texas panhandle and Oklahoma on Sunday. This may be just close enough for the northern part of the viewing area to see some showers and thunderstorms. The chance for rain is slight. Highs are expected to be in the low 90s.

A slight chance for rain will continue on Monday and Tuesday. Highs should remain in the low 90s.

A cold front is expected to move into the region Wednesday night into next Thursday. This will bring us our best chance for rain in the next seven days. The chance for precipitation is 20%. Highs should be in the low 90s on Wednesday and the upper 80s on Thursday.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Thursday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly...

We are starting the day off with a bit of cloud cover and temperatures in the low 70's. Its still a bit muggy with dew points in the 70's.
We are going to see a fairly comfortable afternoon compared to what it could be for this time of year . Temperatures will stay in the low 90's with plenty of sunshine and scattered clouds. We could see an isolated shower in our southern counties but most of us will just see perfect weather for the afternoon.

As high pressure builds in from the east we will see warmer temperatures and less cloud cover for the beginning of the weekend. The kiddos will be able to enjoy the beautiful weather before they have to hit the classes next week. A front will approach the panhandle by Saturday which could bring a few showers to our Northern counties for the end of the weekend to the beginning of next week.

Tropical Depression Deans last advisory was issued this morning it is now just a low pressure system that will bring rain to the southwest.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Wednesday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Below average temperatures continued for us today with highs mainly in the mid 80s to low 90s. Brownwood was a little warmer at 95. The Clear Fork Brazos River is still running about three feet above flood stage at Fort Griffin in Shackelford county. It will crest tomorrow morning and does not look to go back below flood stage until Friday afternoon.

We may see a few sprinkles tomorrow, but Friday and Saturday look to be dry. Highs should be in the low 90s under partly cloudy skies.

A cold front looks to make it as far south as the Red River on Sunday. This could send some showers and thunderstorms into at least the northern portions of the viewing area. Upper level disturbances may cause some rain for us early next week. The chance for rain Sunday through next Wednesday is slight. Highs should be in the low 90s.

Hurricane Dean made its second landfall in Mexico this morning near the town of Tecolutla. It's maximum sustained winds at that time were 100 mph which is a category 2 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Tonight, the storm has weakened all the way down to a tropical depression. It is expected to continued moving through central Mexico tonight and tomorrow.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Wednesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly...

Tuesday was a comfortable afternoon across the Big Country with highs only reaching the upper 80's. We will continue to see below average temperatures for a few more days however mid 90's will return with a High pressure moving in.

For today and tomorrow we are still watching the tropical upper level sitting Northern Mexico. It is bring with it gulf moisture and popping showers in the Hill Country. Because of this system there will be a chance for isolated showers mainly for our south and southeastern counties for today and tomorrow. Temperatures will stay in the low 90's.

We are also seeing high pressure slide into the area from the east. This will keep us warm and dry for the beginning of the weekend. This feature will also help to keep Deans moisture pushed towards southern California and Arizona.

By the beginning of next week a front could push in from the North this will bring back a slight chance for showers for our northern counties.

Hurricane Dean is only a Category one storm and will make its second landfall sometime towards early afternoon in Mexico, near Tuxpan. The storm could strengthen before landfall but will quickly weaken once it makes its passes over land. The only impact the Lone Star state is seeing is a few outer bands bringing in a bit of cloud cover and scattered showers to the Gulf Coast.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Tuesday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Most of us dealt with below average temperatures this afternoon with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. Brownwood was a little warmer at 95. The Clear Fork Brazos River has fallen below flood stage at Nugent in Jones county. The river is still expected to rise above flood stage tonight at Fort Griffin in Shackelford county. It will crest about 4 feet above flood stage Thursday morning. A Flood Warning remains in effect for Shackelford and Throckmorton counties because of this.

Rain chances are looking less than slight for tomorrow through Saturday. An upper level low that was in south Texas is moving to the west-southwest into Mexico. Hurricane Dean will likely make a second landfall between Tampico and Veracruz in Mexico tomorrow. Both of these system are a little too far south to really affect us. It is possible for a few stray showers or thunderstorms to make it into the extreme south-southeastern portions of the viewing area, but it is unlikely. Highs Wednesday through Saturday should be in the low 90s.

A cold front will try to make it into Oklahoma late this weekend into early next week. With a northerly flow aloft expected to set up across our area by that time, it is possible for us to see some showers and thunderstorms move into the region. For now the chance is slight, but that could change as we get closer to Sunday. Highs look to remain in the low 90s.

Hurricane Dean weakend from a category 5 storm to a category 1 by the time it exited the Yucatan Pennisula this afternoon. Maximum sustained winds are 80 mph. It should strengthen back to a category 2 or 3 as it moves across the Bay of Campeche on its way to a second landfall in Mexico. We'll continue to keep you updated on the latest with Dean.

Have a wonderul Wednesday!

Tuesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from morning meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

It was a breezy and humid day across the Big Country to start off our work week. Temperatures toped off in the lower 90's although it felt closer to 100 with the heat index.

Today we will see plenty of sunshine with scattered clouds. The winds will kick up a bit which should help to keep a breeze, a relief from the heat. Again the humidity will factor in to make it feel 5 to 10 degrees warmer.

Tomorrow we will return the rain chances to the area however i am keeping them only at slight. A tropical upper level low pressure system should push into south Texas but it is a fairly weak system. With it we could see more moisture pushed our way however I think the best chance for any rain will be our south and southeastern counties. We will continue the same for Thursday.

By the beginning of the weekend we will remove the rain chances and bring back the partly cloudy skies.

Through the week temperatures stay in the lower 90's with lows in the lower 70's.

Hurricane Dean made landfall near Chetumal, Mexico early this morning around 3:30 am. It reached a category 5 hurricane with winds topped at 165 mph. It is the third most intense hurricane to make landfall after the Labor Day hurricane in 1935 and Gilbert in 1988. The hurricane will move back into the Bay of Campeche after pushing over the Yucatan peninsula today. It will make another impact in southern Mexico by tomorrow after reintensifying. With its current track we should see no effects from the storm.

Have a good day!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Monday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

It was a hot and dry day here in the Big Country today. That was a good thing considering all of the rain and flooding that we have expereience the past couple of days. We will continue to see some flooding along the Clear Fork Brazos River especially around Nugent and Fort Griffin. A Flood Warning is in effect for Jones, Shackelford and Throckmorton counties because of this.

We will have a slight to 20% chance of rain every day for the rest of the week. An upper level low should continue to move across south Texas through the middle of the week. By the end of the week, we will be keeping our eye on a cold front that should make it into Oklahoma. This could cause a little bit of rain for our northern communties. Highs this week look to be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Hurricane Dean has reached category 5 status. Maximum sustained winds are 160 mph. The latest projected path from the Tropical Prediction Center has the storm making landfall tomorrow morning in the Yucatan Pennisula. At this time, it doesn't look like the storm will make much of an impact on Texas. The extreme southern portions of the state could see some rain from the outer bands, but that is about it. We'll continue to keep you updated on the progress of this storm.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Monday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly....

Record rainfall caused flooding across our area as creeks could not hold the 5 to over 10 inches of rain we saw in just 36 hours. The good news is we should have a break for a few days.

Yesterday the sunshine returned to the Big Country as it became warm and muggy. For the next few days we will continue to see a lot more sunshine but the humidity will help to make the heat indices reach into the upper 90's to low 100's. The winds will kick up gusting up to 25 mph thanks to a trough in the Panhandle. Through the middle of the week we will keep the rain away but by Wednesday an upper level low that is in the Gulf of Mexico could help to bring more moisture our way along with helping to bring convection for a few showers.

We will keep the rain chances at twenty percent through Friday dropping them back to slight by the weekend. We are keeping an eye on Hurricane Dean, still a strong category 4 storm. Consistent model runs have brought it south into Mexico, if it stays on this course this will help to keep our rain chances limited.

Have a great day!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sunday Afternoon Update

From Meteorologist Nathan Motz......

Things are beginning to dry out across all of west central Texas as the rains brought by the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin have exited to the northeast into Oklahoma.

In its wake, flood waters have continued to rise in the city of Abilene as water from Lake Abilene moves northward through the city, flooding creeks and streams. The good news is that the next couple of days look dry so the water levels should have an opportunity to recede as we head into the early part of the work week.

Highs will warm to the low 90's with overnight low temperatures remaining in the lower 70's.

Our next chance of rain will enter into the forecast on Wednesday and will continue through the weekend. These rain chances will remain low at 20% for Wednesday through Friday and will then drop off to Slight as we head into the weekend. An upper-level low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico will head westward into the state and will cause warm, moist air to head northward into west central Texas, setting the stage for isolated showers & t-storms.

Also, we will have to keep a close eye on hurricane Dean as it spins its way to the west and especially as it emerges into the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on where Dean makes landfall, which should be sometime late Wednesday night or Thursday, those rain chances may have to be increased as we head into the middle part of this week.

Have a super Sunday!!!!!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Saturday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

It has been a very wet couple of days for many of us here in the Big Country with some locations in Taylor and Nolan county reporting as much as 10 to 11 inches. Overall, rainfall reports from the central and western portions of the viewing area fell in the 4 to 6 inch range. We had several counties under Flash Flood and Flood Warnings yesterday and today. Our eastern communties did not see as much of the precipitation.

The remants of Erin should move out of the area tomorrow, but some isolated showers and thunderstorms can't be ruled out. The chance for rain is 30% with the best shot being in the northern communties. Highs look to be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Monday and Tuesday should be dry with highs in the low 90s under partly cloudy skies.

Our weather for the second half of next week will depend heavily on what track Hurricane Dean takes. Right now, it is a strong Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. The latest projected path from the Tropical Prediction Center has it moving over Jamaica tomorrow. From there it moves over the Yucatan Pennisula late Monday into Tuesday. By late Wednesday into Thursday, it could make landfall in south Texas or in Mexico. We'll have to wait and see where this storm goes over the next couple of days before we can get a better handle on where it is going to make landfall exactly after getting back into the Gulf of Mexico. If Dean goes into south Texas, we could see some showers and thunderstorms in our area. Right now, the chance for rain is only 20% Wednesday through Friday. That could increase though as we get closer to that time period. Highs look to be in the upper 80s to low 90s under mostly cloudy skies.

Have a spectacular Sunday!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Friday Update

Good Evening from Meteorologist Kristen Connolly....

We have seen scattered showers and thunderstorms across the Big Country because of the remnants of Tropical Depression Erin. The storm is currently located just to the west of San Angelo with the heaviest activity staying just to the east of the center. We have seen a lot of activity in our Southern and Western counties and it looks we are going to continue to see the rain.

A Flash Flood watch is in effect for Fisher, Jones, Nolan, Haskell, Taylor, Coke, Runnels, Coleman and Brown counties until tomorrow evening. Also a Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Scurry and Mitchell until tomorrow morning. We are going to continue to see the storm move north/northwest through out the next 36 hours. The highest concentration will be closest to the center but scattered showers and thunderstorms should persist through early Sunday. We could see 1 to 3 inches possible around the area with isolated higher amounts. We will keep an eye on the radar with the potential for Flash Flooding.

By Sunday we should decrease the rain chances with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible. Next week we will keep the clouds around Monday decreasing them through middle of the week. Temperatures will be on a gradual increase with low 90's by next week. We are also keeping a close eye on Hurricane Dean which is a major hurricane in the eastern Caribbean and will be in the Gulf of Mexico by early next week.

Have a good weekend and be careful.

Friday Morning Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to be likely today thanks to the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin. It looks like the heaviest rain should be in the southern and western portions of the viewing area, but heavy rain could occur anywhere in the viewing area. A Flash Flood Watch continues to be in effect for Brown, Coleman, Coke and Runnels counties until 7 p.m. this evening. Highs are expected to be in the upper 70s to low 80s today.

Rain will be likely again tomorrow as the remants of Erin should still be close to the area. Highs look to be in the low 80s.

By Sunday, what is left of Erin should be exiting the state. The chance for rain will be 30% for the second half of the weekend. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s.

The first half of next week looks hotter and drier right now. Highs should be in the low 90s.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Hello Erin

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

It was a little cooler across the Big Country today thanks to Tropical Storm Erin making landfall along the middle Texas coast this morning. Moslty cloudy skies as well as some showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon kept us from getting too warm. Highs were in the upper 80s to low 90s.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Erin are expected to move northwest from south Texas to west Texas over the next couple of days. Showers and thunderstorms will be likely in our area Friday and Saturday. Heavy rain and flash flooding will be possible. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Brown, Coleman and Runnels counties until 7 p.m. Friday evening. Highs should be in the upper 70s to low 80s due to the cloud cover and rain.

We will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday as what is left of Erin should be exiting the state. Highs look to be in the upper 80s under mostly cloudy skies.

The first half of next week should warmer and drier with highs in the low 90s under partly cloudy skies.

Tropical Storm Dean was upgraded to hurricane status today. Maximum sustained winds are 100 mph which makes it a category 2 hurricane. The latest projected path from the Tropical Prediction Center has the storm moving through the Carribean and the Yucatan Pennisula over the next five days. We will continue to keep our eye on this storm and let you know about its latest progress.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Rain Chances Are Looking Better

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We continued to have above average temperatures today as highs were in the mid to upper 90s. A few isolated showers and thunderstorms developed in Brown and Comanche counties late this afternoon.

Tropical Depression Number 5 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Erin this morning. Maximum sustained winds with the fifth storm of this hurricane season are 40 mph. The latest projected path has the storm making landfall on the Texas coast near Corpus Christi during the late morning to early afternoon hours tomorrow. From there, it should move northwest and be north of Del Rio by Friday afternoon. This means an increase in the chance for rain for us in the Big Country. For Thursday that chance is 30%. With the remnants of Erin closer to us on Friday, the chance for showers and thunderstorms will increase to 60%. What is left of Erin could still be close to the area on Saturday so we'll keep a 50% chance of rain in the forecast. By Sunday, the chance falls to slight. Heavy rain will be possible for the second half of the week as well as flash flooding. Stay tuned for any watches or warnings that are issued. Highs for tomorrow should be in the upper 80s to low 90s. For Friday and Saturday, it will be cooler due to the cloud cover and rain. Highs look to be in the low to mid 80s. For Sunday, highs should rebound back into the upper 80s to low 90s.

The early part of next week is expected to be dry with highs in the low 90s under parlty cloudy skies.

We are keeping an eye on another tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Dean has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph according to the latest statement from the Tropical Prediction Center. It is about 910 miles east of the Lesser Antilles so it is still way out in the Atlantic. The latest projected path has it near Jamaica by Sunday night. We still have plenty of time to watch this storm and see if it ends up in the Gulf of Mexico.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Wednesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

Summer took a while to get here, but hot weather has continued across the Lone Star State for the last couple weeks however it should only dominate for one more day. If you enjoy getting out to the pool you might want to take advantage of today. We will see plenty of sunshine with temperatures hitting the mid to upper 90's.

By tonight we should begin to see a change in our pattern as more moisture will help to return the clouds back to West Central Texas. By tomorrow we should see partly to mostly cloudy skies around the area with the rain beginning towards the later part of the day. This change is all because of Tropical Depression 5 that is currently 365 miles east/southeast of Brownsville with winds of 30 mph. It is on a track towards the Northwest around 10 mph. The coast line is already under a tropical storm watch as this disturbance should from into a tropical storm before landfall if we can increase the winds to above 39 mph. This storm will continue to make an impact in our weather through the early part of the weekend. I think the best rain chances right now will be from Thursday evening through Saturday. Winds should not be a problem as the disturbance will weaken once it hits landfall but tropical systems bring lots of rainfall which could cause the potential for flooding. With the rain and cloud cover high temperatures through the weekend will stay in the upper 80's to low 90's. We will be keeping a close eye on the system and keep you updated with the latest.

On top of Tropical Depression 5, we have Tropical Storm Dean which is currently far out in the Atlantic. We will be keeping an eye on the track of this system as it has the potential for US landfall.

Have a good day!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Get Your Rain Gear Ready

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Hot temperatures remained across the area today. Highs were mainly in the upper 90s with Brownwood reaching 100. It was the hottest day of the year so far here in Abilene with the airport reporting a high of 97 this afternoon.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to remain through tomorrow. We could be a degree or two cooler due to a few more clouds, but highs will likely be in the mid to upper 90s.

The tropical disturbance that is currently in the Gulf of Mexico looks to be our next rainmaker. An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, known as the hurricane hunters, investigated this system today and could not find a well-defined center. This means it is not a tropical cyclone, but it could still develop into a tropical disturbance or tropical storm in the next 24 hours. Conditions are becoming more favorable for this low pressure system to become organized and strengthen. Either way, it should be right on the Texas coast by late tomorrow night. From there, the low should move into south Texas before reaching west Texas this weekend. Our chance for rain begins on Thursday at 30% and increases to 40% on Friday. By Saturday, the chance for rain decreases back to 30% with only a slight chance on Sunday. Since this system is tropical in nature, heavy rain and flash flooding will be possible during this time period. Highs look to be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Monday and next Tuesday should be dry with highs in the low 90s under mostly sunny skies.

Tropical depression number 4 strenghtened today and is now Tropical Storm Dean. It has winds of 40 mph and is continuing to move to the west. The storm is about 1390 miles east of the Lesser Antilles according to the latest statement from the National Hurricane Center. With it being so far out in the Atlantic Ocean right now, we have plenty of time to watch where this system goes. Stay tuned for updates.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

It was hot across the area with Abilene regional airport reporting the hottest temperature yet this year sitting at 96. We will continue to see the hot and dry conditions for the next couple days but by the end of the week rain may make a return to the Big Country.

With high pressure still dominating temperatures today will again top off in the mid to upper 90's with abundant sunshine across the area. Be careful if you will be outdoors as heat indices could again get into the triple digits.

For the remainder of the week we are keeping an eye on an area of disturbed weather in the Gulf of Mexico. This area is currently sitting north of the Yucatan peninsula and should be on a track more north/northwest. We could see this area become a depression over the next 24 hours. With moisture returning, we should start to see more cloud cover by tomorrow. This disturbance could move into southern Texas toward the end of the week which will increase our rain chances from Thursday at 20% to Friday and Saturday both at 30%. With the clouds and the rain, temperatures will be cooler with highs in the lower 90's.

Have a good day!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Monday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

The heat continued for us today with the center of the upper level high pressure ridge to our northeast in southern Oklahoma and north Texas. Highs in the Big Country were mainly in the mid to upper 90s with Brownwood reaching 100 this afternoon.

We will continue to see hot and dry conditions over the next couple of days due to the ridge remaining close to the region. Highs should be in the mid to upper 90s with a few locations possibly reaching 100 tomorrow.

Changes are on the way as we head into Thursday and Friday. There is a tropical disturbance currently sitting between Cuba and the Yucatan Pennisula. It is expected to make its way northwestward towards Texas and could be along the coast as early as Wednesday. Conditions are becoming favorable for the system to develop into a tropical disturbance over the next day or two. As of now the path of this system should be over south Texas, however, we could see some showers and thunderstorms in our area late Thursday through early Saturday because of it. Our best chance for rain looks to be on Friday at 30%. Highs during this time period will be in the low 90s, but it could be cooler depending on the amount of cloud cover and rain that we receive.

Sunday and next Monday are expected to be dry with highs in the low to mid 90s.

The tropics are definitely becoming active. We are also keeping an eye on tropical depression 4 that is in the Atlantic Ocean right now. It is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm over the next couple of days. The depression is currently located about 1780 miles east of the Lesser Antilles so it way out there for now. We have plenty of time to watch its movement over the coming week.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Monday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

The sunshine was out all weekend and will only continue again for the next couple days. We have seen a clear night which was perfect weather for viewing the meteor shower.

Upper level high pressure is still the main player in our weather. It is currently sitting over northern Texas/southern Oklahoma. Today we will see temperatures just around average with mid 90’s to even a few 100’s topping off by the afternoon.

Through the week we will continue to see mostly sunny skies. By the end of the week some gulf moisture could return helping to build the clouds with a partly cloudy sky into the weekend. Rain chances look slim for the Big Country but south of I 10 the chance increases with a wave pushing in from the ocean. We will keep an eye on it and see if it could impact us by the end of the week.

Highs will stay in the mid 90’s with lows in the lower 70’s.

Have a great day!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Saturday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

It was a typical August day for us today as highs were in the mid to upper 90s across the area. Slightly humid to humid conditions continued across the area with dewpoints ranging in the low 60s to low 70s.

An upper level high pressure ridge is currently centered over the southern plains. It is expected to remain there tomorrow and much of next week. This will keep us hot and dry for at least the next seven days. Highs should be in the mid to upper 90s. Some locations may reach 100 or better through the middle of next week.

On a side note, we will be able to see one of our annual meteor showers this weekend. The Perseids are expected to peak late Sunday night into early Monday morning. The best time to see them will be from 11:00 p.m. to just before dawn. 40 to 60 meteors per hour are expected during that time period. Viewing should be good for us because we are in a new moon phase and skies will be mostly clear. If you would like to see them, you will need to get away from city lights and look eastward in the sky.

Have a spectacular Sunday!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Hot Weekend On Tap For Us

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

The heat continued to be on for us today as highs were mainly in the low to mid 90s across the area. This is actually at and a few degrees below average for this time of year.

We should see our temperatures reach above average levels this weekend and next week. The center of the upper level high pressure ridge that has been in the southeastern part of the country for much of this week will set up shop in the southern plains Saturday through at least next Friday. This means hotter temperatures for our region. Highs look to be in the mid to upper 90s with some locations probably reaching the triple digits. Be careful if you are going to be out in the heat. Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.

Have a super Saturday!

Friday Morning Update

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

Yesterday we had a little break- a break from the humidity that is. This helped with our heat indices. It means that it will not feel as sticky outside, and we should continue the less humid trend over the weekend.

Today the temperatures are starting off cooler with most of us sitting at 70 degrees. We also have dew points in the upper 50’s to low 60’s so it should be very comfortable on your morning jog. Through the day the temperatures will warm up to the upper 90’s. The good thing is with less humidity we won’t have to deal with the mugginess. The winds have also died down so the nice breeze will no longer help to cool us off.

Through the weekend the High pressure system will be sitting just to our North which will keep the continued sunshine. It will also keep us hot with most of us in the upper 90’s and even our northern counties seeing the first century mark of the season. Make sure to take all precautions for heat related illnesses.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Thursday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We experienced our hottest day of the year so far here in Abilene with the airport reporting a high of 95. The rest of the Big Country was in the mid to upper 90s. Our dewpoints were lower today so it wasn't nearly as humid as it was earlier this week.

The center of the upper level high pressure ridge which has been parked in the southeastern states the last couple of days will be shifting westward into our area this weekend. This means our temperatures should warm up even further than they already have. Highs for the rest of this week through early next week look to be in the upper 90s. Portions of the Big Country will likely reach the triple digits. Some of the communities with the best chance of reaching 100 before the end of the week include: Knox City, Aspermont, Haskell, Throckmorton and Brownwood. Be sure you are taking care of yourself in this heat.

Have a fantastic Friday!
Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly …

Some clouds held on yesterday morning into early afternoon helping to keep our temperatures a couple degrees cooler but it was still hot. The breeze has also helped give a little relief however we are going to have to give that up after today.

This morning temperatures are starting off the in mid 70’s with muggy conditions. Through the day high pressure will still be the big factor with plenty of sunshine. We still could get a nice breeze which has helped during the afternoon when the heat indices get into the upper 90’s to low 100’s.

As the weekend approaches so does the high- this will only mean warmer temperatures with some of us seeing our first triple digit day. Make sure you are taking precautions because of the heat.

Have a great Thursday!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Heat Is Still On

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Hot, humid and breezy conditions continued for the Big Country today. Highs were in the 90s. Heat index values were once again in the upper 90s to around 105.

The upper level high pressure ridge that is centered over the southeastern part of the country right now is still expected to move westward beginning tomorrow. It should be right on top of us by Saturday. This is when we will experience our hottest temperatures of the week. Highs are expected to be in the mid to upper 90s tomorrow through next Wednesday. It is possible for some parts of the area to reach the triple digits Saturday through Monday. Be sure you are not only taking care of yourself in this heat, but keep an eye on your pets as well. Dry conditions are likely for at least the next seven days.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Wednesday the Heat Continues

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

Summer took a break for a while this year but she has returned and returned in full force. We still have yet to reach 95 degree day but the afternoons are still scorching with the sun in full swing, high humidity and even a nice breeze. Clear skies have dominated the overnight with the stars lighting up the sky.

Today the upper level High pressure system is still sitting over the Gulf States causing extensive heat to many across the US. With a high pressure system we see sinking air and across the southeast you can barely buy a cloud. The heat is causing a lot of problems ( 22 states yesterday had heat watches or warnings) which proves how careful you need to be- stay hydrated, limit the activity during peak hours and of course wear sunscreen if you are outdoors.

We will continue to see the sunshine for the next several days with highs even rising a few degrees into the weekend. This high will begin its track towards our area and with that center closer we will warm up even more. Highs today will be in the mid 90’s with upper 90’s by the weekend. Overnights will continue to be clear with temperatures in the mid 70’s.

Again, although the thermometer may read one temperature factoring in the humidity makes it feel 5-10 degrees warmer. By the weekend we may see a decrease in the humidity which will help us to drop the high heat indices however the temperatures will still make it H-O-T.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Tuesday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

The summer heat continued for us today. Highs this afternoon were mainly in the mid to upper 90s. It was another humid day so heat index values, what it feels like, were in the upper 90s to around 105.

We should see the sizzling heat remain for a while. A high pressure ridge is currently centered over the southeastern part of the country. It is expected to shift westward and be just north of us Friday through Sunday. This is when we will likely see our hottest temperatures of the week. By early next week, the center should be shifting back into the southwestern U.S. Highs look to be in the mid to upper 90s tomorrow through next Tuesday. Portions of the viewing area could see their first 100 degree day of the year. The northern communities will have the best shot at reaching this mark because they will be closer to the high pressure center. Dry conditions are expected as well. Be sure to take care of yourself if you are going to be out in the heat.

Have a wonderful Wendesday!

Tuesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from the Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

Warm, humid and breezy those words described how we started our second week in August. Temperatures still stayed just a few degrees below average however if you were outside during the afternoon you would have not guessed they were. With the humidity factored in we saw heat indices reach the low 100's.

Today, we will again have that high parked just to our northeast right over the lower Mississippi Valley moving towards the gulf coast states. This has continued to bring us warm weather as well as much less cloud cover thanks to sinking air. Just to our west in the big bend rain still is possible as they are on the edge of the high where disturbances can rotate around along with monsoonal moisture. Temperatures should make it into the mid 90's with the real feel more like low 100's. We will still see the breeze which should help a bit with the heat gusting over 20 mph. Again if you need to be outdoors the best time would be early morning or late evening. Limit the activity during the peak hours of the day.

The high will move closer to the lone star state by the end of the week which will mean even warmer temperatures and continued sunshine. Enjoy the beautiful weather but please be precautious.

Have a great day!

Monday, August 06, 2007

Monday Night Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

It looks like we'll be saying goodbye to below average temperatures and above average rain for a while. Our typical summer time pattern of hot temperatures and dry conditions will be taking control over the area. Highs today were mainly in the low to mid 90s. Brownwood made it to 97 this afternoon.

The upper level high pressure ridge that is currently centered over the central and southern plains will be shifting eastward into the southeastern states by midweek. It should then start moving back towards our area by the end of the workweek. From there, it looks to be back in the western part of the country. This high pressure dome is large enough that we should be dry for at least the next seven days. Highs will be in the mid 90s with breezy conditions Tuesday and Wednesday. For the second half of the week, we should be experiencing highs in the upper 90s. A few locations may reach 100 Friday and Saturday. With dewpoints likely to remain in the 60s and 70s this week, heat index values will be in the upper 90s to around 105. Please be sure and take it easy if you are going to be outdoors. Drink plenty of water, take breaks indoors and weak light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Monday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

We have finally said hello to summer as beautiful weather took hold across the Big Country for our first weekend in August.

We will continue to see plenty of sunshine over the next several days. With high pressure dominating in the southeastern United States we will see more sun, less clouds and around average temperatures. We still have abundant moisture from lots of rain over the past few weeks which will help heat indices to rise into the low 100’s. Although you might look at the thermometer reading mid 90’s its going to feel even warmer so be careful if you are outdoors for any length of time. Overnight we will see mid 70’s for lows.

Through the week the high may inch its way closer towards our area. We should see some of the moisture reduce which will help a bit with the humidity. Temperatures will stay in the 90’s however by the end of the week we could see them hit the upper digits.

Enjoy summer, but please be careful outdoors- drink plenty of water, and try and limit activities during the peak hours!

Have a good week!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Hello Summer

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

For the first time all week, no showers or thunderstorms developed or moved into the area. An upper level high pressure ridge is beginning to build in the central and southern plains. Highs today were in the upper 80s to low 90s under partly to mostly cloudy skies.

The center of the high pressure ridge should shift into the southeast during the upcoming work week. We will still be affected by it since it is a large ridge. The pattern that is expected to prevail for us this week is one that we typically see during the summer. Temperatures should return to and a little above average for this time of year. Highs look to be in the low 90s for Sunday and warm up into the mid to upper 90s for next week. Even though temperatures shouldn't reach 100, it will feel like it when you factor in the humidity. Please remember to take it easy in the heat. Drink plenty of water. Dress in light colored, loose fitting clothing. Take breaks indoors in air conditioning or at least in the shade. With plenty of moisture in place, a stray shower or thunderstorm can't be completely ruled out. The chance though is less than slight.

Have a spectacular Sunday!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Friday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Showers and thunderstorms developed across the viewing area late this morning and into the afternoon. The coverage of the rain was not as widespread as yesterday and there haven't been any flooding problems with today's rain. Highs were mainly in the 80s except for Brownwood which reached the low 90s.

A shift in our weather pattern will begin this weekend. The upper level high pressure ridge which has been to our west much of this summer is expected to move into the central and southern plains Saturday and Sunday. The center of it should then move into the southeast for next week. The ridge is large enough that it looks to still be in control over our area. Temperatures will be on the increase and rain chances on the decrease because of this. Highs should be in the low to mid 90s. Rain chances will be less than slight. A stray shower or thunderstorm can't be completely ruled out due to amount of moisture that is expected to remain in place.

Have a super Saturday!

Friday Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

It was a wet and soggy day yesterday across the Big Country. Rainfall amounts was anywhere from an inch to almost five inches in southern Taylor county. This caused flash flooding and road closures around the area. By the evening some sunshine was able to come out and relieve some of the flooding as we got a good break from the rain.

This morning just a few scattered showers are across the area. We are also seeing some fog this morning which could cause reduce visibilities on the morning commute.

Through the day we will see decreasing clouds and warmer temperatures in the upper 80’s. With plenty of moisture around we still will have to deal with the very humid conditions. The trough that played a big factor yesterday in the rain is pushing south which should help to limit our rain chances. Along with that we have the possibility of outflow boundaries and even a disturbance that could move through off the upper level low to our west. By the overnight the rain chances will decrease as we will see more lifting forces and loose the heating of the day.

Tomorrow through next week high pressure will push in and dominate. This means more sun and hot temperatures. Please careful if you will be outdoors for any length of time- stay hydrated!

Have a good weekend!

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Thursday Evening Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Flooding rains developed over the Big Country this morning and didn't dissapate until this afternoon. Fisher, Nolan, Jones, Taylor, Callahan, Shackelford and Stephens counties were all under Flash Flood Warnings earlier today. There was a wide range of rainfall reports across the area. Abilene Regional Airport received 0.91", Lawn 1.20", Sweetwater 2.06" and Potosi 5.00". A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of the area through tomorrow morning. The reason for our rain today was due to outflow boundaries and a surface trough moving over us at the same time.

For tomorrow, the trough should be moving south of the region. We could see some showers and thunderstorms develop in the morning before it leaves. We will also have to keep an eye on any outflow boundaries or upper level disturbances that move into the Big Country. These will be our lifting mechanisms for the moisture that remains in place. Daytime heating will supply our instability. Showers and thunderstorms could develop during the afternoon due to this third ingredient. Our chance for rain is 30% for Friday. Highs look to be in the mid to upper 80s.

There is a slight chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms on Saturday. Highs should be in the low 90s.

An upper level high pressure ridge will build into the central and southern plains during the second half of the weekend. It looks to move into the southeast next week. Highs are expected to be in the mid 90s Sunday through next Thursday. With moisture remaining in place, a stray shower or thunderstorm can't be ruled out during the afternoon and early evening. The chance though is less than slight.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Thursday Morning Update

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

The start of August seemed to be a precursor of days to come. The sun was out in fun force through the afternoon helping to get our temperatures in the lower 90’s. But that sun only fueled the storms that began to pop by late afternoon. We say lots of showers and thunderstorms across the area through the evening with some of them producing heavy rainfall and causing flash flooding.

This morning we are seeing some scattered showers around the Big Country, with the heaviest activity staying in our eastern and southern counties. You may need that umbrella to get out to work, if not keep it handy.

Today, the clouds should hold on which will keep the temperatures only reaching the upper 80’s. However, you may have noticed it feels extremely muggy out, which makes the temperature feel from 5-10 degrees warmer. With plenty of moisture till around and a trough to the east, an upper level low to the west as well outflow boundaries from previous storms we have lots of lifting forces to help produce the rainfall.

By tomorrow the boundaries should weaken which will help to eliminate our chances for storms. We will drop the chances down to twenty percent and with that bump the temperatures back to upper 80’s to low 90’s.

By the weekend high pressure appears to take over which will mean we are saying hello to hot and humid temperatures through early next week.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Wednesday Afternoon Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We had warmer temperatures across the area today thanks to less rain coverage and not as much cloud cover as previous days. Highs this afternoon ranged from the upper 80s in Sweetwater to the upper 90s in Brownwood. The majority of the rain today was in the western portions of the viewing area.

Tomorrow should be cooler and wetter. A surface low pressure trough is expected to slide southward into or near our area. This will lift the moisture we have in place and cause showers and thunderstorms to develop. They will likely happen during the late morning through early evening when our instability is greatest due to daytime heating. We could also see an upper level disturbance as well as outflow boundaries in the area. Our chance for rain is 50%. Highs should be in the mid to upper 80s under mostly cloudy skies.

We may see the same situation again on Friday, but the lifting mechanisms look to be weaker or not as close to the area. The chance for precipitation will decrease to 30%. Highs are expected to be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are still possible on Saturday. The chance is only 20% though. Highs should be in the low 90s.

An upper level high pressure ridge is still expected to build into the central and southern plains by the second half of the weekend. It should hang around through at least the first half of next week. This will cause our temperatures to get back around and possibly above seasonal averages. Highs look to be back in the mid to upper 90s by Monday. An isolated shower or thunderstorm can't be completely ruled out, but the chance is less than slight.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Wednesday Morning Forecast

Good Morning from Morning Meteorologist Kristen Connolly…

August has officially arrived and although we may have a few rainy days to start it off, summer may finally come out in the next seven days.

To end July we picked up near half an inch at the Abilene Regional Airport making us end our first seven months almost a quarter of an inch above what we need for an entire year.

Today we are starting off in the lower 70’s with extremely muggy conditions outside. All that moisture will help us with our rain chances. Factor one you need for showers and thunderstorms, factor two is instability and we get that from the heating of the day. (If you have noticed over the past few days most the activity occurs from late morning to late evening.) The last is a lifting mechanism- we have an upper level low present in the Big Bend area that is can still toss disturbance our way. Along with the upper level low we still have a stationary front draped across the Lone Star state, although it may wash out soon we still could see some activity spark off it. Last but not least we can still see “mini cold fronts” called outflow boundaries which form from previous storms. If you are not seeing the rain you will feel the humidity. By the afternoon temperatures should reach the upper 80’s to low 90’s but heat indexes could be even 10 degrees warmer.

We will keep the rain chances in for the next couple days but by the weekend high pressure should build in which creates sinking air and should inhibit our rain chances through the long term. With lots more sunshine highs should get into the mid 90’s.

Have a great day!

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