Friday Night Update

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

We had colder temperatures in the Big Country today. North and west of Abilene it has mainly been at or below freezing. From Abilene to the east and south, temperatures have held steady in the mid to upper 30s. Precipitation has been mainly rain across the area except where temperatures have been at or below freezing. It is in those locations that freezing rain and some sleet has been falling.

Precipitation will continue off and on from the overnight hours tonight through Saturday evening. The northwestern half of the viewing area, including Snyder and Sweetwater will likely see freezing rain, sleet, and a little snow. The other half, including Abilene and Brownwood, will likely see rain with some freezing rain and sleet possibly mixing in at times. Highs across the area on Saturday will be in the low to mid 30s.

There is a Winter Storm Warning for Scurry and Mitchell county until noon tomorrow. Haskell, Fisher, Jones, and Nolan county are under a Winter Storm Warning until 6 p.m Saturday evening. Knox county is under a Winter Storm Warning until 6 a.m. Sunday morning. It is in these areas where significant accumulations of snow and ice are expected and travel could become hazardous. Throckmorton, Stephens, Shackelford, Taylor, Callahan, Eastland, and Coke counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory until 6 p.m. Saturday evening. It is in these areas that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. A Freezing Rain Advisory is in effect for Coleman and Runnels counties until 6 p.m. Saturday evening. This means that periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties. Brown and Comanche counties are not under a warning or advisory at this time. If you are going to be travelling tonight or tomorrow, please be careful. Roads are going to be at the least very wet and in the warning area icy. Take your time getting to your destination.

All of the precipitation from this round of wintry precipitation should come to an end during the evening on Saturday. This means some clearing will likely take place on Sunday. Highs look to reach the low to mid 40s.

Another cold front is expected to move through the region Sunday night. This looks to cool temperatures back down to freezing for Monday. A trough will set up to our west. This means, if we have enough moisture, we should see some snow Monday and Monday night.

Any snow we have in the area looks to taper off early Tuesday. Mostly cloudy skies will remain as well as the cold temperatures. Highs should be in the mid to upper 30s.

A pattern shift may take place beginning on Wednesday bringing drier conditions and warmer temperatures to the Big Country. Mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid 40s to low 50s are expected at this time.

Have a super and safe Saturday!