Welcoming Winter With 70-Degree Temperatures:

Good Morning from KRBC Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Today may be the day of the Winter Solstice but it's certainly not going to feel like winter across the Big Country, Heartland and Northern Concho Valley on this December Day. Expect a partly cloudy day with highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s across the area. Winds will also be on the increase, so expect breezy conditions the next few days. Expect a mostly cloudy night with still breezy conditions keeping us well above freezing into the upper 40s for lows. Expect about the same forecast to continue on Tuesday with highs once again in the upper 60s and breezy with a partly cloudy sky.

* Next cold front arrives by midweek bring a slight chance for showers across the Big Country, Heartland and Northern Concho Valley come Wednesday, Wednesday night and early on Thursday. For now expect we'll say it's an all rain event as the colder air is not expected to arrive until Thursday. Having said that we'll still keep an eye on the system and it's track across the area. If any moisture is able to wrap around the low then things could be interesting later this week. Otherwise much colder air will be here for Christmas Eve and Christmas with highs in the lower 40s and overnight lows in the middle 20s.

* Winter Outlook: The Climate Prediction Center indicates a moderate El Niño pattern will be in place and will bring West Central Texas a wetter pattern for the winter months. There is also a chance for increased winter precipitation depending on temperature trends. Data suggests equal chances of above or below normal temperatures, so more than likely the numbers will remain near normal for this time of year.

* Drought Information: For the lastest drought information for the state of Texas please visit the U.S Drought Monitor website by clicking here. The data is updated by the government every Thursday morning around 7:30 AM.

* The latest on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene & the Big Country is coming up on KRBC's Abilene Today starting at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday later this morning at 11:30 AM. Our news and weather coverage continues also this afternoon at 5:00 and tonight 6:00 and 10:00 PM on KRBC.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates, especially during severe weather and winter weather events affecting the Big Country by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check out news updates from KRBC via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter.

Have a great Monday...