Cold and Icy Weekend

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

The cold front that we have been expecting to bring arctic air to the area arrived in the northern communities this morning and made it through the southern portions this evening. Most of the area saw temperatures drop to and below freezing by a little after sunset. Only the southern portions of the viewing area have yet to hit 32 degrees. Rain has fallen over much of the area through the day as well. The northern two-thirds of the area saw that rain change to freezing rain late this afternoon and evening. Abilene Regional Airport saw about four tenths of an inch of rain. Since then it has mainly been drizzle and fog.

Every county in the viewing area except for Stonewall, Scurry, and Mitchell is under an Ice Storm Warning tonight through 6 p.m. Sunday. An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel difficult or impossible. Stonewall, Scurry, and Mitchell counties are under a Freezing Rain Advisory tonight through 6 p.m. Saturday. Those same counties are under a Winter Storm Watch Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.

For the rest of tonight, we can expect temperatures to be in the low 20s to low 30s. Freezing drizzle and fog is likely with more freezing rain developing after midnight and into tomorrow morning.

We should see periods of freezing rain, fog and drizzle throughout the day Saturday due to upper level disturbances rolling through the area from time to time. Highs should range from the mid 20s to low 30s.

Our best shot at freezing rain and significant ice accumulation looks to be Saturday night into Sunday. This is when we expect the main upper trough to move through the area. Highs should remain in the mid 20s to low 30s.

Overall, I think we will see ice accumulations of one quarter inch or less in the southern communities. The central portions of the viewing area should see one quarter to one half inch. In the northern communities, we look to have one half to one inch. If you have to travel, please be very careful and cautious. Bridges and overpasses will likely be the first to ice over.

Precipitation should come to an end from west to east Sunday evening. A secondary shot of arctic air will probably keep us from warming above freezing on Monday. We are expecting to see above freezing temperatures by Tuesday afternoon. A gradual warming trend is expected Wednesday through next Friday, but temperatures should remain below average for this time of year.

We will continue to keep you updated on the winter weather situation throughout the weekend. Stay tuned for the latest forecast and updates.

Have a super Saturday!