Icy Conditions Possible This Weekend

From Chief Meteorologist Brandon Rector...

Clouds moved back into the region today. Despite the mostly cloudy skies, we still managed to have above average temperatures and breezy conditions. Highs ranged from the low 60s to around 70.

With more moisture in place and a cold front approaching from the north, showers and thunderstorms are likely tomorrow. Cloudy skies should continue with highs in the low to mid 60s.

This cold front should begin moving through the viewing area by tomorrow night. It looks to stall somewhere between our southern communities and Interstate 10. Arctic air will filter in behind it. The northern communities should see a change from rain to freezing rain and sleet tomorrow night. The central communities and those near Interstate 20 should see the change Saturday morning. The southern communities could see frozen precipitaiton if the front gets far enough south before stalling. This whole scenario is dependant upon where the front stalls on Saturday. Anyone south of the front will see well above freezing temperatures and the chance for rain. Communities north of the front will have cold temperatures near or below freezing and the chance for frozen precipitaiton.

Most of the viewing area is under a Winter Storm Watch due to the potential for signifcant amounts of snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that would impact travel. All counties in the viewing area except for Brown, Coke, Coleman, Comanche, and Knox are under this watch beginning tomorrow night through Sunday afternoon. Knox county is under an Ice Storm Warning from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Sunday. This type of warning means that severe winter weather conditions are expected. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible.

All of the precipitation should come to an end from west to east during the day on Sunday. Depending on where the front is, highs look to be in the mid to upper 30s.

A secondary surge of arctic air arrives on Monday keeping high temperatures close to freezing under partly cloudy skies. A warming trend will likely begin on Tuesday, but temperatures will still be cold and below average for this time of year.

We will continue to keep a close eye on the winter weather situation. Stay tuned to KRBC for the latest forecasts and updates.

Have a fantastic Friday!