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!