Clouds Return Today, Rain Returns Tonight:

Good Morning from KRBC Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Unlike the last couple of mornings, we're all waking up to much warmer temperatures this morning. It's a bit breezy out there and expect the breeze to stay with us today. Clouds will slowly return as we get into the day with our highs today in the middle 70s. Expect conditions to be mostly cloudy to cloudy tonight. A cold front still on track to move through overnight. Showers and a few thunderstorms will be possible. Lows tonight in the the middle 40s. The rain should be out of here by early in the morning. Clouds will decrease on Friday but it will be cooler with highs in the lower 60s.

* Weekend: Forecast looks good for the weekend for the area. Sky conditions will be mostly sunny with highs on Saturday and Sunday into the upper 60s. Overnight lows will be in the upper 30s on Saturday morning but the upper 40s on Sunday morning.

* Next Week: One front will arrive on Monday bringing a bit of cooler weather for next week but a stronger front should arrive by the middle of next week. Models are showing some rain chance for the area on Wednesday so I decided to go ahead and mention the chance in my morning forecast package. Highs in the 70s Monday but upper 50s/low 60s next week. Could see a freeze again by the middle of next weeek.

* Winter Outlook: The Climate Prediction Center indicates a moderate El Niño pattern is taking shape 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.

* Tropics: For the latest information please visit the KRBC/NBC Hurricane Season 2009 Tracker on the weather section of our website by clicking here. You can also visit the National Hurricane Center website by clicking on the link here. The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season will end on November 30th.

* Join us on television this morning for the latest on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene & the Big Country on KRBC's Abilene Today starting at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday later this morning at 11:30 AM. More news and weather coverage continues 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 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 Nice Thursday...