Temperature Trend is Warm

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

No chilly weather this week. In fact, hot better describes the weather around here by Wednesday as temperatures top 90 degrees in some areas.

The pattern looks dry through the work week but some changes to the pattern this weekend is worth at least a slight chance for thunderstorms in the forecast on Saturday (across our eastern counties) with a little better chance area wide on Sunday into Monday.

Monday Night: Clear and mild, low 54. Southwest wind 5 to 15.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny and 87. West southwest wind 10 to 15.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, high of 92.

Warm and Dry Weather Expected This Week

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

It has been a nice weekend with warm and dry weather expected in the upcoming week.

A high pressure ridge will build over our area which keeps us dry. Temperatures will warm this week to about 80 on Monday followed by low to middle 80's Tuesday into Wednesday. Some areas in the western Big Country could approach 90 this week.

By the end of the work week and beginning of the weekend, middle 80's look promising.

I'm not putting any rain in the forecast at this time through the weekend.

Strong To Severe Storms Likely:

*** The Storm Prediction Center has all of the KRBC viewing area outlined for a slight risk of severe weather for today and tonight. Stay tuned to KRBC for the latest weather information during the day and tonight ***


Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* A weak disturbance is working across the area this morning and could kick off a few isolated showers or an isolated storm, mainly in the west and northwest sections of the viewing area. As of the time I am blogging this morning, the area is seeing mostly clear conditions. Otherwise, the main event(s) will occur later today and into the overnight period across the viewing area. Strong storm system continues to take shape out west and make its way toward the area. The dryline will push into the area later today and will be the focal point for the first round of showers and thunderstorms across the area. Meanwhile a cold front moves in and eventually the dryline and front will merge and will be the main area for storm development with another round of storms. Thinking is now this will develop into a squall line or a mini complex of rain and thunderstorms moving across Thursday overnight and Friday morning.

* Severe Threat: The Storm Prediction Center has all of West Central Texas outlined in a "slight" risk area for severe thunderstorms for today and tonight. The main threat should be large hail and damaging winds but we can't rule out an isolated tornado as well.

* How Much Rain? Most everyone should see a good inch of rainfall out of this event but there will be some areas that could get a really good soaking out of this. One of our in-house forecast models is saying some isolated spots could see two to three inches of rain. As of this morning, most spots are running between 1.75 to 2.50" below normal on rainfall for 2009.

* Looking Ahead: Clouds will be on the decrease on Saturday and Sunday looks nice as well with highs in the 70s across the Big Country. Weather also looks quiet going into early next week as well with highs in the 70s and low 80s.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Enjoy your Thursday...

Thunderstorms Ahead:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Rain Chances: A weak disturbance will move across tonight and could kick off an isolated storm in the west and northwest sections of the viewing area. Otherwise, the main event(s) will occur on Thursday and into Thursday night and Friday across the viewing area. Strong storm system continues to take shape out west and make its way toward the area. The dryline will develop and push into the area on Thursday and will be the focal point for the first round of showers and thunderstorms across the area. Meanwhile a cold front moves in and eventually the dryline and front will merge and will be the main area for storm development with a squall line or a mini complex of rain and thunderstorms moving across Thursday overnight and Friday morning.

* Severe Threat: The Storm Prediction Center has all of West Central Texas outlined in a "slight" risk area for severe thunderstorms on Thursday and Thursday night. The main threat should be large hail and damaging winds but we can't rule out an isolated tornado as well. Also we should mention that if the system slows some, there could be some very heavy rain which could cause some minor urban and stream flooding (what typically happens around here when we get a good rain)in spots.

* Looking Ahead: Clouds will be on the decrease on Saturday and Sunday looks nice as well with highs in the 70s across the Big Country. Weather also looks quiet going into early next week as well with highs in the 70s and low 80s.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Enjoy your Tuesday...

Dry Now, Rain Later This Week:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* High pressure continues dominate the weather forecast today and tomorrow across a large part of Texas. Daytime highs today will soar to near 80° and lows tonight will remain in the middle 50s. Same story for tomorrow across the area with the same temperature ranges. Winds will begin to pick up today across the area, but the good news is the winds are coming out of the southeast bringing in moisture.

* Rain Chances: Another strong storm system will take shape to our west and move into the area for Thursday and Friday across the Big Country bring rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the area. The storms could be severe at times, in fact, the Storm Predicition Center already has the entire viewing area under a "slight" risk for severe storms on Thursday and mentions the chance for severe weather on Friday. It looks like another event like we saw this weekend with a line or complex of rain and thunderstorms moving across the area overnight Thursday and into Friday morning across the Big Country. Stay tuned for updates on the event.

* Weekend: Weather looks nice for the weekend with a quick warm-up on Saturday before another front will cool us back down into the lower 70s for Sunday and into Monday.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Enjoy your Tuesday...

Nice Start To The Week:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* A nice start to the week across the area with some high clouds but sunshine will domainte as we get into the day today with highs near 70° in most spots. Lows tonight will drop into the upper 40s with clear conditions.

* High pressure will dominate the weather forecast through the middle of the week. Highs will hold in the 70s with a few 80s in spots and very mild nights with lows in the lower to middle 50s. Breezy conditions will be expect through the week across the Big Country.

* Rain Chances: Models bring a strong storm system into the area over the later half of the week that will bring rounds of showers and thunderstorms from Thursday afternoon through Saturday. Looks like the best rain chances, for now, could be on Friday. The Storm Predicition Center is already noting in theur Day 4-5 outlook that our area could see some severe storms. Stay tuned through the week for updates on the weather event as it develops.

* Wildfire Threat: Right now, the threat has been improved some thanks to the rains over the weekend across West Central Texas. South winds will pick up through the week so the moisture will slowly evaporate. Areas should remain on fire alert! Another chance for rain comes later this week.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Enjoy your Monday...

Rain Reports Only So-So

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

The rainfall at Abilene Regional Airport totaled a little over a half inch Saturday night into Sunday morning. Sweetwater picked up a quarter of an inch, up to three quarters of an inch around Breckenridge, but a half inch is a pretty good average across the area.

Maybe we'll see more rain in a few days. We have another chance for thunderstorms both Thursday and Friday.

Temperatures will feel chilly when you step out the door Monday morning, in the mid to upper 40's. Highs will be around 70 Monday afternoon. Wind from the northwest at 10 to 15.

Highs Tuesday through Thursday will be closer to 80 degrees. We'll keep you updated on the chance for rain as we go through the week.

Strong To Severe Storms This Weekend:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* A cold front move into the area overnight and has cooled us down. Another good note is the winds have died off a good bit so only a light north breeze today compared to those howling west and southwest winds yesterday. Highs today will be near 70° with lows tonight back into the middle 40s. On Saturday we'll see an increase in clouds with higihs once again near 70° with an east to southeast wind.

* Weekend: We're still anticipating thunderstorms across the area for late Saturday and into the day on Sunday. The model runs still has a strong low pressure sweeping right over West Central Texas late Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Some scattered storms will be possible Saturday evening but it still looks like the main window for storms will be between midnight and about mid-morning on Sunday. The Storm Predicition Center has all of the viewing area outlined in a "slight" risk for severe storms for the period. Stay tuned to KRBC over the weekend for updates on the storm threat.

* Next Week: For now it looks warm, windy and dry. Highs will climb back well into the 80s before another front arrives and brings a bit of a cool down by late Wednesday and Thursday.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Have a great weekend & Happy Easter!

Extreme Winds & Wildfire Danger:

*** Red Flag Warning for all of the viewing area from late this morning through the evening hours ***

*** High Wind Watch for areas mainly along and west of U.S. 277 from late this morning through the evening hours ***

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Exremely gusty winds will impact the area as we go into the day today. A Red Flag Warning and a High Wind Watch are in effect for the area. Winds will be out of the west and southwest between 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 at times. Remain firewise and on alert! Highs will be warm once again well into the upper 80s across the area.

* A cold front move into the area tonight will cool us down for Friday and into the first part of the weekend with highs dropping back into the upper 60s and lower 70s across the area and lows into the 40s. It will still be windy behind the front most of the night but the winds should subside as we get toward daybreak on Friday. We'll warm back up into the middel 70s on Sunday.

* Weekend: The models are still painting a decent chance for thunderstorms across the area for late Saturday and into the day on Sunday. The model runs still has a strong low pressure sweeping right over West Central Texas on Sunday. The model has slowed the system down some so we could see rain chances throughout the day on Sunday. It now looks that sunrise services and the eggg hunts could be wet. Some of the storms could be severe across the area. We'll watch how things pan out over the next few days so stay tuned for updates.

* Next Week: For now it looks warm, windy and dry. The longer range models are trying to paint a small rain chance for the middle of the week but I didn't include it in the forecast package this morning.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Enjoy your Thursday...

Looking Stormy This Easter Weekend

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

The first matter of business is the WIND, again, on Thursday. It will be gusty from the southwest and eventually the west at 30 to 40mph which presents another high wildfire danger.

The second matter of business is our potential for thunderstorms and possibly severe weather this weekend. A low pressure area will drop through the southwestern U.S. by Friday and cross over our area from late Saturday into Easter Sunday. As it does so, we should see a line of thunderstorms develop across West Texas and move east Saturday night into Easter Sunday.

It may be wet for those Easter Sunrise services and probably on the windy side. The storms should move east out of our area by Sunday afternoon. After that, back to a dry weather pattern.

Temperatures will be in the middle 80's on Thursday followed by the 70's Friday through the weekend. I don't see any freezing temperatures again over the next seven days.

Very Warm & Windy Spring Day:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* No freezing temperatures out there this morning across the Big Country like we dealt with yesterday morning. In fact what a temperature swing we;re going to see. We tied a record low Tuesday morning here in Abilene of 28° and today we're climbing all the way up to 90° for a high temperature. Most places will be in the upper 80s and a few lower 90s today with southwest winds anywhere between 15 and 25 miles per hour. Those winds will continue tonight and keep us rather mild with lows only in the lower to middle 60s. Another warm day is set for tomorrow with highs in the upper 80s and still windy.

* A cold front will cool us down for Friday and into the weekend with highs dropping back into the 70s across the area and lows into the 40s.

* Wilfire Threat: A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the area on Thursday due to warm temperatures and high winds. We don't have to see windy conditons nor warm temperatures to have a fire threat. Yesterday we saw two fires break out. One in Callahan County and another here in Taylor Country. Remain firewise and on alert!

* Rain Chances: The models are still painting a decent chance for thunderstorms across the area for late Saturday and into the day on Sunday. This morning the run of the GFS model still has a strong low pressure sweeping right over West Central Texas on Sunday. The model has slowed the system down some so we could see rain chances throughout the day on Sunday. Having said that, sunrise services and the eggg hunts could be wet. There is still a chance some of the storms could be severe across the area. We'll watch how things pan out over the next few days so stay tuned for updates.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Enjoy your Wednesday...

Stormy Holiday Weekend Expected

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

The latest forecast data Tuesday afternoon indicated an increasing chance for thunderstorms from late Saturday through Sunday morning. The most likely time would be Saturday night during the overnight as a squall line could move through and bring much of the area needed rainfall.

Given current timing, it may be that Easter sunrise services may be dealing with rain or storms still in the area. Follow this blog or check our KRBC weather page for the latest info.

Until late Saturday, the weather pattern should remain dry with temperature closing in on 90 degrees Wednesday followed by low 80's on Thursday.

Gusty wind will remain a constant Wednesday and Thursday. By Friday, temperatures should be closer to the middle 70's.

The chance for rain will be 20% on Saturday, 50% Saturday night and 50% Sunday morning.

Warming Trend Begins:

*** Freeze Warning in effect from 3AM to 9AM for Taylor, Callahan, Nolan, Fisher, Jones, Shackelford, Haskell, Throckmorton, Coke, Runnels, Coleman, Brown, Stephens, Eastland and Comanche County ***

*** Hard Freeze Warning in effect until 9AM for Knox County ***

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* A very cold morning across the area with temperatures at or just below freezing in many spots. Freeze warning in effect until 9AM this morning. It will start off cold but a nice warm-up is in store for today. Highs will climb into the lower and middle 70s with sunny conditions. Tonight will be clear and not as cold with lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. It will be breezy during the day today with south winds between 15 and 20 miles per hour.

* We jump back into the 80s for tomorrow and Thursday before another front brings us back into the lower 70s for Friday. Overnight lows will remain mild.

* Rain Chances: The long-range models are painting a decent chance for thunderstorms across the area for late Saturday and into midday on Sunday. In fact this morning the run of the GFS model has a strong low pressure sweeping right over West Central Texas this weekend. With the setup, it would now be prudent to mention a chance for strong to possibly severes storms. We'll watch how things pan out over the next few days. I still think, and hope, it's an overnight event so we won't have a soggy Easter.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Have a great Tuesday...

Thoughts on the Wind

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

Concerning the complaints about the never ending gusty wind, I share your frustration. Daily, I hear comments about the wind and how it just won't go away. But I can't help but think ahead to July and August when we sometimes can't buy a breeze when it's 100 plus. It would be nice if we could just average out the wind to a consistent level year round, right?

Speaking of wind, it will be calm for a few short hours Monday night and that, combined with a very dry atmosphere, will lead to a potential for freezing temperatures early Tuesday morning.

The cold is short lived Tuesday as gusty southwest wind will help warm temperatures to the middle 70's. By Wednesday we're in the middle 80's.

The next chance for rain comes this weekend. It appears our best window of opportunity will run from late Saturday through mid-day Sunday. We'll keep you posted so check back again daily.

Take care, have a great day!

Randy

A Pleasant Spring Day:

* Highs today will climb into the upper 50s and lower 60s across the Big Country with a good supply of sunshine. There could be a few high clouds pass by now and then but otherwise not a bad day. Another very cold night across the area as I expect a light freeze across the area with lows tonight/early Tuesday in the
upper 20s/lower 30s.

* Week Ahead: We'll begin to warm up on Tuesday wigth highs back into the 70s. We jump back into the 80s for the middle part of the week before another front brings us back into the lower 70s for Friday. Overnight lows will return to the 50s.

* Rain Chances: The next five days will be mainly warm and dry across West Central Texas. The long-range models are trying to bring a small chance in the forecast for for Saturday and a little better chance for Easter Sunday. It looks as if this may be another one of those late evening and overnight events. My forecast package this morning includes a 20% chance for late Saturday and a 30% chance for early Sunday.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Have a great Monday...

Freezing Temperatures Possible

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

It is possible overnight lows will dip to freezing Sunday night / Monday morning, but there is a better chance that a freeze will happen Monday night / Tuesday morning.

Temperatures will remain cool throughout the day Monday, topping out around 60. But as the wind calms Monday night, with a dry atmosphere, temperatures will be able to dip to a range from 28 to 32 degrees across our viewing area.

Time to protect your tender vegetation.

Wind continues to be an issue, although not as much.

Warmer temperatures can be expected mid week with a chance for thunderstorms in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday of the coming weekend. Right now, it's a 30 percent chance.

Hope you have a great week !!

Both Warm & Cool This Weekend:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* No howling winds to welcome us to a new day this morning like we dealt with yesterday across the Big Country. Wind gusts were over 50 miles per hour at times while we were under the High Wind Warning. Abilene officially peaked out at 53 miles per hour at both the airport and out on base. It was also cool with highs in the 60s
most of the day.

* We will recover quickly with another warm-up and Saturday with highs back up into the the upper 70s/low 80s today and well into the middle/upper 80s on Saturday. Winds will be with us today, but not as bad though topping out between 10 and 20 mph and about 15-20 mph tonight. Winds will higher on Saturday and a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Saturday.

* Another cold front will arrive late Saturday/early Sunday and will bring another shot of cooler air with highs Sunday and Monday back into the 60s. Also it will be chilly Monday and Tuesday morning with lows in the 30s.

* Rain Chances: Dry and windy is the trend on rainfall for at least the next six days. The long-range models are trying to bring a small chance in the forecast for Thursday of next week. I went ahead and threw a mention of it into my forecast package this morning. As I mentioned yesterday, most areas around here are between and inch and a half and two inches below normal on rainfall for the year.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter

Have a great weekend...

Cooler & Windy Weather Today:

*** High Wind Warning in effect until 10:00 AM for Taylor, Nolan, Callahan, Runnels, Coleman, Brown, Jones, Shackelford, Fisher, Throckmorton, Haskell, Scurry and Mitchell County. ***

*** Red Flag Warning in effect until 5:00 PM for Taylor, Nolan, Callahan, Jones, Shackelford, Haskell, Fisher and Throckmorton County. ***

*** Red Flag Warning until 8:00 PM for Eastland and Stephens County ***

*** Wind Advisory in effect until 8:00 PM for Eastland, Stephens and Comanche County ***

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* After highs in the 80s yesterday a cold front overnight has brought cooler weather in the area. Highs on your Thursday are back into the middle and upper 60s. Winds will be gusty out of the northwest between 25 and 25 miles per hour so it will feel cooler at times.

* Weekend: We will recover quickly with another warm-up by Friday and Saturday with highs back up into the the upper 70s/low 80s with windy conditions expected. Another cold front will arrive late Saturday/early Sunday and will bring another shot of cooler air with highs Sunday and Monday back into the 60s.

* Rain Chances: Dry and windy looks to be the forecast trend in the model runs this morning as I still don't see any rain chances for the next seven days. Currently most areas around here are between and inch and a half and two inches below normal on rainfall for the year.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter site.

Enjoy your Thursday...

Isolated T-Storms Possible Tonight

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ..

A fast moving low pressure area was spinning through Colorado Wednesday afternoon, headed southeast toward Texas. The projected path of the low takes it from the Texas Panhandle southeast along the Red River, to the north of our area. That isn't the favorable position for rain in our area, but close enough that a few isolated thunderstorms are possible across the northern Big Country, roughly along and north of Interstate 20. In addition, lack of low level moisture in our area doesn't bode well for rain.

This system is in and out of the region tonight and brings gusty and dry northwest wind to our area Thursday. Temperatures Thursday should be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than they were Wednesday.

On Friday, back close to 80 degrees and warm weather through Saturday until the next front Saturday night gives a slight cooling for Sunday.

Warmth Back Today, Coolness Returns Tomorrow:

*** Red Flag Warning in effect today for Taylor, Callahan, Nolan, Jones, Haskell, Shackelford, Throckmorton, Fisher, Coke, Runnels, Coleman, Scurry and Mitchell County ***

*** Lake Wind Advisory in effect today for Taylor, Callahan, Nolan, Jones,& Haskell County ***

*** Wind Advisory in effect today for Eastland, Stephens, Comanche and Stonewall County ***

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Very windy and warm weather expected today across the Big Country ahead of the next cold front that will move across the area after midnight. Fire Weather and Wind Advisories in place for today due to the warm waether and winds out of the south and southwest today between 20 and 40 miles per hour. Mostly sunny conditions today with highs in the lower to middle 80s with clouds returning tonight with lows in the middle 40s.

* Rain Chances: The GFS forecast model is still the only one that is pointing at some rain chances along the cold front early tomorrow morning. Thursday. I still have a small chance (20%) into the forecast package for after midnight and before daybreak for the areas north of Interstate 20.

* Cooler weather ahead for your Thursday with highs only into the 60s with the cool start in the morning. Winds will be gusty out of the northwest between 25 and 25 miles per hour so it will feel cooler at times. We will recover quickly with another warm-up by Friday and Saturday with highs back up into the the upper 70s/low 80s before another cold front arrives this weekend.

* Weekend: So far looks nice with highs in the lower 80s on Saturday but a cold front comes in late Saturday and will cool us back into the upper 60s on our Palm Sunday. Outlook still remains dry.

* Twitter: Remember you can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. You can also check on news updates via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter site.

Enjoy your Wednesday...