More Wintry Precipitation Possible

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We have had a roller coaster ride of temperatures today here in the Big Country. It was 55 at 4:25 a.m. this morning at Abilene Regional Airport. That was our high for the day as a warm front moved into the area overnight. An hour later we reached our low for the day at 35 thanks to showers and a few thunderstorms as well as the warm front moving back south. We picked up 0.19" of rain, which put us at 35.67" for the year. According to the records, 2007 is now the seventh wettest year ever in Abilene.

A cold front will continue moving through the area this evening. This will bring us colder temperatures tonight and Wednesday. An upper level trough remains to our west. This will continue to make its way east-northeast towards us tonight. We will have a 30% chance of rain after midnight. The chance for precipitation will increase to 40% during the day tomorrow as the trough passes us by to the north during the afternoon and evening. Parts of the area could see freezing rain and sleet between 3 a.m. and noon on Wednesday because temperatures will be at or below freezing during that time. It looks like the best chance of seeing frozen precipitation would be along and northwest of a line from Colorado City to Sweetwater to Abilene to Albany to Throckmorton. If there were to be any problems, it would be on bridges, overpasses and other elevated objects. Everyone will see temperatures above freezing by the afternoon so the precipitation would just be rain then. Lows tonight should be in the upper 20s to mid 30s with highs in the mid 30s to low 40s.

Thursday is expected to be dry with highs in the mid 50s under partly cloudy skies.

Another cold front as well as an upper level trough look to move through the region Friday and Saturday. As of now, it looks like highs for both days will be in the low 40s. Lows on Friday night are expected to be in the upper 20s to low 30s. We have a 30% chance of precipitation. It will likely begin as rain and then transition to snow during the night. The snow will probably come to an end Saturday morning. This is a situation we are keeping a close eye on so stay tuned.

Sunday through next Tuesday are expected to be dry with highs in the 50s.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!