Shift in the Pattern Coming Soon

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ....

Hang in there a couple more days and then a pattern shift means some cooler temperatures and a chance for showers.

The oppressive high pressure ridge over us now is forecast to gradually slide to the west and be centered in New Mexico by Friday. This allows some frontal systems and upper level disturbances to drop in from the north. Bottom line is temperatures should be a little cooler with the high not directly over us and showers and storms which develop to the north of our area can slide southward through our area Saturday through Tuesday of next week.

Until the weekend though, it is still going to be hot and dry.

Tuesday Night: Clear and 76. South wind 5 to 15.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, near 102. Southeast wind 10 to 15.
Wednesday Night: Clear and warm, near 76.
Thursday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, high near 100.
Friday: Partly cloudy, high near 98.
Saturday: Partly cloudy, 20 percent chance for thunderstorms, high near 94.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, 30 percent chance for thunderstorms, high near 90.

Still Hot & Dry For The Big Country:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited....

* Same old song and dance in the weather department. It's still hot and it's still dry across Abilene and the Big Country. The ridge continues to sit over Texas and the south central parts of the country which is keeping the current weather pattern very hot and dry...as noted earlier. Expect sunny to mostly conditions the next several days with highs in the lower 100s and still very warm and uncomfortable at night with lows in the middle 70s.

* Models this morning still indiciating we will see a pattern chance toward the weekend. The high pressure should slowly shift westward toward the middle and end of the week which will take the edge off some of the heat. Temperatures will drop back into the middle 90s over the weekend with overnight lows in the lower 70s. As the ridge slips westward, the clockwise flow around the high will bring a northerly to northwesterly flow across the area. This pattern should help bring a weak cold front into the area toward the weeekend.

* Rain? A northerly to northwesterly flow in summer is usually our best chance (other than a tropical system coming inland and drifting up this way)for some rain chances. Complexes of storms will develop over the high plains and drift south and southeastward down toward northern Texas. We call these mesoscale convective systems(or MCS for short)which are pretty much a a large cluster of thunderstorms. We'll watch for this activity toward Sunday and early next week as the models are hinting at some isolated rain chances. I've went ahead and added a 20% chance for Sunday and Monday. Will have to monitor as this is still several days away.

* Please join us on television this morning for the lastest 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.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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.

Enjoy your Tuesday...

Guess What - It's Hot !!

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ....

High pressure directly overhead leads to more heat and no rain through the work week.
Temperatures this week at their hottest today and Wednesday before backing down a tiny bit Thursday into the weekend, but nothing significant.

Forecast models are trying to hint at a slim chance for rain around Sunday into early next week, but it doesn't look to hopeful at this point. Hopefully that will change.

Talking numbers around 103 on Tuesday, 101 on Wednesday, 100 on Thursday. At night, 74-78 each night.

Be safe in the heat!

Hot & Dry Weather Dominates:

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited....

* Not much chance in the forecast as we start a new week across Abilene and the Big Country. The ridge continues to sit over Texas keeping the current weather pattern very hot and dry. Expect mostly sunny conditions the next several days with highs in the lower 100s and still very warm and uncomfortable at night with lows in the middle 70s.

* Models indicate this morning that the high pressure should slowly shift westward toward the middle and end of the week which will take the edge off some of the heat. Having said that, temperatures will still be in the middle to upper 90s, with overnight lows in the middle 70s. As the ridge slips westward, the clockwise flow around the high will bring a northerly to northwesterly flow across the area. This pattern should help bring a weak cold front into the area by the end of the week, so the models are indicating. It's a case of wait and see I'm afraid.

* Please join us on television this morning for the lastest 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.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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.

Enjoy your Monday...

Heat, Heat and More Heat !!

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ....

The heat isn't going anywhere, so we must adapt. Highs at or just above 100 degrees can be expected this weekend with no chance for rain. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 70's. A south or southeast breeze during the day of 10 to 20 mph with lighter wind 5 to 10 at night.

No major changes to the forecast going into early next week. Afternoon highs should be slightly lower but still upper 90's. The high pressure causing the heat looks to be locked in for the next seven days or more keeping storm systems away.

Be safe in the hot weather !!

Hot Weather Continues Into The Weekend:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* The heat ridge continues over Texas and the Big Country so today will be another warm day with highs averaging across Abilene and the Big Country between 101 -105° and still very warm at night with lows only dropping into the middle to upper 70s.

* New data this morning keeps the triple digits in the forecast through the weekend with not much of a cool down early next week as we only drop highs into the upper 90s.

* Records: We will be watching closely the record high for Abilene today which is 106° from 1918.We will break close to this record high today as I am forecasting a high of 104° for the Key City today. Some places will be warmer than this today.

* Safety Tips: Remember during this very hot weather to stay cool and drink plenty of water. If you have to be outside, you will need the sunscreen because you will burn very easily in this extreme heat. Check out the Hot Weather Safety Tips graphic posted above the discussion here for tips for dealing with the heat.

* Please join us on television this morning for the lastest 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.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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.

Enjoy your Friday & Stay Cool...

Hot Now - But Major Changes for the Fall

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ....

The heat wave will persist through the upcoming weekend, dangerously hot so take necessary precautions.

That being said, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a news release today concerning El Nino. You may be familiar with this phenomenon that tends to increase our chance for rain, which we need. Hopefully this shift in the weather pattern leads to a rainy Fall and Winter around here.

For now, however, hot and dry.

Thursday Night: Clear and 80. South wind 5 to 10.

Friday: Sunny and 103. South wind 10 to 20.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and 101.

Sunday: Partly cloudy and 100.

Record Heat On This Thursday:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* The core of the heat ridge is now over Texas and the Big Country so today will be the warmest day so far with highs averaging across Abilene and the Big Country between 102 -106° and still very warm at night with lows only dropping into the middle to upper 70s. New data this morning keeps the triple digits in the forecast through the weekend with not much of a cool down early next week as we only drop highs into the upper 90s.

* Records: We will be watching closely the record high for Abilene today which is 103° from 1978, 1964 & 1918. I do expect we will break this record high today as I am forecasting a high of 104° for the Key City Today. Some places will be warmer than this today. The record high for Friday is 106° from 1918.

* Safety Tips: Remember during this very hot weather to stay cool and drink plenty of water. If you have to be outside, you will need the sunscreen because you will burn very easily in this extreme heat. Check out the Hot Weather Safety Tips graphic posted above the discussion here for tips for dealing with the heat.

* Please join us on television this morning for the lastest 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.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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.

Enjoy your Thursday & Stay Cool...

Blistering H O T !!!

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

Frying an egg on the sidewalk may be possible Thursday as hot weather pounds down on the Big Country. I'm forecasting a high of 104 on Thursday in Abilene. The record high for Thursday is 103 which has been in the record books since 1978.

The high pressure ridge will be around to bring us the blast furnace through Saturday before temperatures back off a few degrees by early next week, still very hot though.

The forecast high for Friday is 102 and 100 for Saturday.

No rain is in the forecast at this time !!!

Be safe in the heat !!

Very Hot Weather Is Here:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* The heat ridge has settled right over Texas and the Big Country so expect extremely warm temperatures starting today and lasting into Saturday. Daytime highs will range between 100-106° (of course I wouldn't be surprised if some spot gets above 106°) and not much of a cool down with lows between 74-78° each night. The ridge will keep the air sinking so mostly sunny conditions and no rain chances the next seven days.

* Records: The record high for Abilene today is 105° from 1978. The record high Thursday is 103° from 1978 as well. The record for Friday is 106° from 1918 and the record for Saturday is 104° form back in 1998. We're going to have to watch the records the next few days as forecast temperatures will be close to, if not a bit warmer than the records.

* Safety Tips: Remember during this very hot weather to stay cool and drink plenty of water. Check out the Hot Weather Safety Tips graphic posted above the discussion here for tips for dealing with the heat.

* Please join us on television this morning for the lastest 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.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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.

Enjoy your Wednesday & Stay Cool...

Brutally Hot Rest of the Week

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ....

Find yourself a cool spot and stay there for the rest of the week. The hottest temperatures yet this summer will find their way into our area starting Wednesday.

I'm forecasting 101 for a high Wednesday, 104 for Thursday and 102 for Friday before temperatures return to the upper 90's over the weekend.

Practice heat safety tips such as: 1) drink plenty of water; 2) wear light colored loose fitting clothing; 3) make sure pets are watered properly; 4) limit outdoor work to early mornings or late evenings, if possible; 5) check on the elderly often to make sure they have ample cooling and water; 6) wear sunscreen if in direct sunlight for any length of time.

We should get a little, not much, relief from the heat this weekend as more cloud cover will be around and the high pressure ridge won't be sitting right on top of us as it is now.

No rain in the forecast at this time.

Turning Hot:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* Quiet weather today but temperatures will begin to warm up with highs climbing back into the lower to middle 90s and lows tonight into the lower 70s. Expect a partly cloudy day but I think the rain chances are very low so I'm not including a chance in my forecast package this morning. Will monitor and may add a chance later today for my midday forecast package if anything changes.

* Heat ridge begins building over Texas today with some very hot temperatures by the later half of the week for the Big Country. Highs expected between 100-105° (perhaps some spots even warmer) and lows in the middle 70s. Heat ridge and high in place will keep the air sinking so no rain chances in the forecast later this week.

* Join us on television this morning for the lastest on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene & the Big Country on KRBC's Abilene Today at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday at 11:30 AM.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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 great Tuesday...

The Heat Soon to Return !!

From the KRBC Weather Lab and Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

There remains a slight chance for thunderstorms Monday night as upper level winds, blowing from the northwest, may push some storms into our area. Plus, south of Abilene, isolated storms may develop Monday evening in proximity to a boundary there.

Heavy rain fell early Monday morning across the Heartland counties such as Coleman and Brown. Rain amounts between 1 and 3 inches were common in that area.

The big weather story over the next several days will be the return of oppressive heat. High temperatures Tuesday should be in the middle 90's, but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be 100 degree days, so be ready. No rain is forecast Tuesday through the upcoming weekend.

Some Storms Today, Otherwise Cloudy:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* A band of showers and thunderstorms continues across the Heartland and northern areas of the Concho Valley this morning. At the time I'm blogging this, the Brownwood airport has recorded 2.26" of rainfall and 0.93" at the airport in Comanche. [Update here at 10:30 AM... officially Brownwood picked up 3.75" of rainfall since midnight! Comanche has picked up 1.68" of rainfall. Not a drop for Abilene...] Expect some areas of flooding along small streams and arroyos in that area this morning. Most of the activity is along and south of U.S. Highway 67. Most of this activity will move out of the southern viewing area by mid-morning. Otherwise, just cloudy and humid across the Abilene area, as well as Sweetwater, Anson, Haskell, Rotan and Albany.

* Scattered thunderstorms will be possible across the Big Country today. I'm putting the rain chance at about 30% in my forecast package this morning for the area. Any storms that do develop could produce some quick heavy rainfall. Isolated storms will remain in the forecast for tonight and Tuesday. Highs today only in the middle and upper 80s thanks to the clouds and rain chances, lows tonight near 70. Fewer storms and less clouds will allow us to warm up Tuesday into the middle 90s.

* Heat ridge really building in this week again from the east over Texas with some very hot temperatures by the later half of the week for the Big Country. Highs between 100-105° (perhaps some spots even warmer) are possible Wednesday - Saturday with mostly sunny conditions. Heat ridge and high in place will keep the air sinking so no rain chances in the forecast later this week.

* Join us on television this morning for the lastest on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene & the Big Country on KRBC's Abilene Today at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday at 11:30AM.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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 great Monday...

Scattered Thunderstorms Sunday Night / Monday

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner.....

As of mid-afternoon Sunday, showers and thunderstorms were bringing more much needed rain to the Big Country. As of 3:30pm, there were light showers moving northeast from Abilene and towns south of Abilene. There was another line of thunderstorms across the northern Big Country, stretching east to west, along highway 380 but that area was trying to drift south.

I'm forecast scattered thunderstorms to affect most of the Big Country Sunday evening and Sunday night. The remnants of a weak cold front will linger Monday so we should see more storms develop with the greatest chance south of I-20 on Monday.

Temperatures will remain below normal Monday with a high near 88, thanks to additional cloud cover.

Temperatures by Tuesday climb back to the mid 90's.

High pressure regains control of our weather pattern by Wednesday meaning dry and hotter weather. Expect temperatures around 100 Wednesday through Friday.

Hot Holiday Weekend, Rain Next Week:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* The ridge will dominate the weather pattern for the Big Country until at least Independence Day. Expect highs each afternoon into the upper 90s and lows in the middle 70s with mostly sunny conditions.

* July 4th Holiday: Weather looks great for the holiday but it will be "hot as a firecracker" with afternoon highs near 100° under a partly cloudy sky. Only a light south wind.

* Rain Chances: Models continue to bring rain chances back into the picture for Sunday, Monday and into Tuesday. I've kept a 30% chance in my forecast package for Sunday and Monday and a 20% chance for Tuesday. A bit cooler on Monday but the otherwise temperaures will only drop into the middle 90s with the ridge easing up somewhat across the area and allows a weak front to drift across Northern Texas.

* Join us on television this morning for the lastest on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene & the Big Country on KRBC's Abilene Today at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday at 11:30AM.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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 Safe Holiday Weekend...

Hot Weather for the 4th !!

From the KRBC Weather Lab ....

No surprise !! Hot weather is on tap for the 4th of July in the Big Country. Daytime highs in the upper 90's, overnight lows in the mid 70's are forecast Friday through Sunday.

I'm leaving a slight chance for thunderstorms in the forecast each afternoon Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. A weak cold front will try to make its way into the area to give us a slight chance for storms.

Wind will be from the south, light at night, 10 to 20 in the afternoon over the next several days.

Observe the heat safety tips:
1) Drink Plenty of Water
2) Wear light colored, loose-fitting clothing
3) Make sure your pets have plenty of water
4) Wear sunscreen if in direct sunlight for an extended period of time
5) Limit outdoor work to mornings or very late evenings, if possible

Temperatures Getting Hotter:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* Unlike the last few mornings, the radar over West Central Texas is quiet. Expect a mostly sunny day with highs into the middle 90s with our lows dropping into the lower 70s overnight. The ridge that is to our west has drifted eastward and will dominate the weather pattern for the Big Country until at least Independence Day. Expect highs each afternoon into the upper 90s and lows in the middle 70s with partly cloudy conditions.

* Rain Chances? Models are bringing some slight rain chances back into the picture for late Sunday, Monday and into Tuesday so I've added a 20% chance to my forecast package this morning. A bit cooler on Monday but the otherwise temperaures will only drop into the middle 90s with the ridge easing up somewhat across the area.

* July 4th Holiday: Weather looks great for the holiday but it will be "hot as a firecracker" with afternoon highs near 100° under a partly cloudy sky. Only a light south wind.

* Join us on television this morning for the lastst on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene & the Big Country on KRBC's Abilene Today at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday at 11:30AM.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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 great Thursday...

Back to Hot Weather ... Again

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

Temperatures are on the climb once again, but I think they'll stop a little short of the triple digit numbers we saw last week. That is based on the ground being wet from recent rains which doesn't allow the ground to heat up as much as it would if it were dry.

Still, highs between 95 and 98 look likely Thursday through the upcoming weekend.

The next chance for rain is slight, beginning late Sunday and continuing into Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Look for overnight lows to be in the low to mid 70's.

Drying Out Today:

Good Morning from Meterologist Chris Whited...

* Scattered thunderstorms this morning south of the Colorado River. An isolated storm or two is possible today mainly south of Interstate 20, otherwise look for a partly cloudy day with highs in the lower 90s. Overnight lows tonight in the lower
70s.

* Ridge begins to build back over the area this week which will dry us out and warm us ack up with highs climbing into the upper 90s and overngiht lows in the middle
70s. Expect mostly sunny conditions.

* July 4th Weekend: Looks to be partly cloudy and hot with highs near 100° and lows in the middle 70s.

* Next week: Some isolated storms are still possible early next week but temperatures will remain on the hot side in the upper 90s.

* Join us on television this morning for the lastst on your forecast as well as news from around Abilene on KRBC's Abilene Today at 6:00 AM and on Abilene Midday at 11:30AM.

* Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates 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.

Enjoy Your Wednesday...