Nice Weather Ahead:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming north northeast between 10 and 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North northeast wind between 15 and 20 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

It's About to Get Better !!

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

I'll keep this brief. Hazardous roads are the rule through much of the day.

The temperature, which dropped to 12 this morning in Abilene, should warm past freezing late morning or around noon which starts our thawing process.

Most of the thawing will take place through the middle of the afternoon.

There could be some patchy ice tonight and Thursday morning as temperatues fall once again below freezing. We could see temperatures from 20-28 across the area Thursday morning.

I'm not expecting any more moisture, in any form, through the next seven days.

This weekend, temperatures will warm back to the low 60's with mostly sunny skies.

Be safe out there !!! Delay any travel, if possible, until Wednesday afternoon.

Hazardous Morning, Improving Afternoon:

Good Morning from KRBC Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Another short update this morning as I am finishing up my forecast package for the newscast this morning and preparing for special extended coverage of the event this morning on KRBC.

* Top Story: Winter storm event has come to an end across the Big Country, Heartland and Northern Concho Valley. All the precipitation has moved into central Texas and out of our area. As I blog this a little after 3:00 AM, the sky conditions are clear generally across the areas west of US 277. The clearing line will continue to move eastward this morning. Advisories still out for the area but should be dropped soon with the storm system having already passed us.

* Temperatures have dropped well into the teens this morning. At this hour, Abilene sits at 17°, while Snyder sits at 16°, Sweetwater sits at 19° and 21° at Breckenridge, Brownwood and Comanche. Areas that are clearing out could drop a few more degrees before daybreak.

* Icy conditions will stick around during the morning but as we warm up we should begin to see the icy melt. Daytime highs will climb to near 50 in many spots by afternoon. Expect a southwest wind to help warm us up as well today.

* Big Country Travel Alert: Road conditons this morning across the area are very hazardous. There is much more ice, not to mention sleet pellets on the roads so travel is dangerous. As we stated, conditions are a little worse this morning out there so be careful and if you must travel don't be in a rush and take your time.

* KRBC News will air a special 5 hour edition of West Texas Today starting this morning at 5:00 AM. We'll have team coverage of the travel hazards, as well as a wrap-up of the icy mess from this storm system. The newscast will be anchored by Stephanie, Downing, Randy & I along with our reporters live in the field. Be sure to join us for the latest information. Current business and school closings/delays can be found on bigcountryhomepage.com.

Stay safe and have a pleasant Wednesday...

Moisture Ends Tonight - Icy Wednesday Morning

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

As of 9:30pm Tuesday night, the moisture was decreasing from west to east across the Big Country. We were still receiving light sleet and even some snowflakes at KRBC but westward toward Sweetwater and Snyder, the precipitation had ended. It is likely that the sleet will continue across the area from San Angelo to Coleman to Brownwood into the early morning hours of Wednesday but end well before sunrise.

Speaking of sunrise, we may actually get to see it, unless low clouds build back in due to the moisture. Fog is also possible tonight.

The main issue, obviously, will be the icy roads and the question of when thawing begins.

At this time, it looks like we should climb back above freezing between 9am and 11am Wednesday, and by late afternoon, the roads will be drying. Travel will be at its worst through 10am, then improve rapidly afterwards.

Expect temperatures near 50 in the sunshine Wednesday afternoon, but also expect another plunge to near 22 Wednesday night.

Dry weather is on tap Thursday through the weekend as temperatures slowly get back into the low 60's for the weekend.

Winter Storm Warning for Taylor & Area Counties

FISHER-NOLAN-HASKELL-THROCKMORTON-JONES-SHACKELFORD-TAYLOR-
CALLAHAN-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ROTAN...ROBY...SWEETWATER...HASKELL...
THROCKMORTON...WOODSON...STAMFORD...ANSON...HAMLIN...ALBANY...
ABILENE...CLYDE...BAIRD...CROSS PLAINS
1117 AM CST TUE JAN 27 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN ANGELO HAS UPGRADED THE
FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY TO A WINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY.

THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE CONTINUE ACROSS
MUCH OF THE BIG COUNTRY...WITH TEMPERATURES REMAINING IN THE LOW
TO MID 20S.

LATER THIS EVENING...SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SLEET ARE
POSSIBLE AS AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE MOVES EAST ACROSS THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS. SLEET ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND ONE HALF INCH CAN
BE EXPECTED BY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS ON AREA ROADS...BRIDGES...AND OVERPASSES WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS. PRECIPITATION POTENTIAL WILL END BY SUNRISE WEDNESDAY...HOWEVER ROADWAYS AND BRIDGES MAY STILL BE SLICK UNTIL TEMPERATURES RISE ABOVE FREEZING.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Winter Weather Getting Worse

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ..

We have a variety of Winter Weather Warnings across the area but all relate to one word - ICE.

Travel will be hazardous through at least the middle of the day Wednesday. There is another disturbance coming out of the southwest which will cross our area from late this afternoon through tonight. That should cause a mix of sleet/freezing rain and even some snow. I wouldn't be surprised to hear a few rumbles of thunder too.

Bottom line - temperatures well below freezing in the low 20's tonight and probably won't get above freezing until Wednesday afternoon. More precipitation equals more ice and worsening conditions.

Take the necessary precautions - plan ahead - avoid travel is possible.

Randy

Morning Weather Update:

*** Freezing Rain Advisory in effect for Taylor, Nolan, Callahan, Jones, Shackelford, Fisher, Haskell, Throckmorton, Coke, Runnels, Coleman, and Brown County until 9:00 AM on Wednesday ***

*** Ice Storm Warning in effect for Stephens, Eastland and Comanche County until 6:00 AM on Tuesday ***

*** Winter Storm Warning in effect for Stephens, Eastland and Comanche County until 6:00 AM on Wednesday ***

*** Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Scurry and Mitchell County until 6:00 PM on Tuesday ***

*** Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Stonewall, King, Kent and Knox County until 12:00 PM on Tuesday ***

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Weather a little active right now so will let the graphics cover the update here. Complete forecast and breaking news and weather information coming up on West Texas Today this morning. Also breaking news and weather coverage as warranted and online always at bigcountryhomepage.com

Stay safe and have a good Tuesday...

Wintry Weather Mess Expected

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

As of 9:30pm Monday night, mainly light precipitation was falling across the Big Country with a small batch of freezing rain across portions of Jones, Haskell, Shackelford and Throckmorton counties.

There are several "players" involved in our forecast. First, the cold air is in place. Temperatures aren't expected to warm above freezing until around mid-day Wednesday. Any precipitation which falls will stick on surfaces, mainly vehicles and grass first, then bridges and overpasses, then roadways. Bridges would be my first concern for your Tuesday morning commute.

Southwest flow (Pacific moisture) is set up and will keep our light moisture falling most of the time. What looks like will happen is an disturbance, coming out of the southwest, will approach our area Tuesday afternoon and pass overhead Tuesday night. As that happens, you can anticipate an increase in precipitation Tuesday afternoon but especially Tuesday night. Not only will freezing rain be possible, but expect some sleet to possiby mix in. All this equals an icy scenario through the middle of the day Wednesday.

After Wednesday morning, we should see a rapid improvement in our weather.

Bottom line - we'll continue to experience light freezing precipitation Monday night and Tuesday but amounts and strength of precipitation should increase Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night before ending Wednesday morning. Therefore, the Wednesday morning commute may be worse than the Tuesday morning commute.

Check here often on Bigcountryhomepage.com for updates.

Drive safely !!

Randy Turner

Breaking News - Freezing Rain Advisory Issued

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANGELO TX
152 PM CST MON JAN 26 2009

...FREEZING RAIN EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL TEXAS THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.A STRONG COLD FRONT IS CURRENTLY PUSHING THROUGH WEST CENTRAL
TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON...USHERING IN A SHALLOW COLD AIR MASS ACROSS
ALL OF WEST CENTRAL TEXAS. AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS ALSO DEVELOPING ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST UNITED STATES AND IS FORECAST TO PUSH EAST ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT. THIS WILL BRING INCREASED CHANCES FOR PRECIPITATION ACROSS WEST CENTRAL TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY. AT THIS SAME TIME...WARM...MOIST AIR WILL SURGE NORTH OVER THE SHALLOW COLD AIR ALREADY IN PLACE...CAUSING ANY RAINFALL TO FREEZE AS IT FALLS INTO THE COLD AIR NEAR THE SURFACE.

...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TUESDAY TO 9 AM CST
WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN ANGELO HAS ISSUED A FREEZING
RAIN ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TUESDAY TO 9 AM CST
WEDNESDAY.

AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE AND LIGHT FREEZING RAIN ARE EXPECTED
ACROSS THE BIG COUNTRY LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING. ICE ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT...WITH AMOUNTS
OF GENERALLY LESS THAN ONE TENTH OF AN INCH...MAINLY ON ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. SOME ROADS ACROSS THE NORTHERN BIG COUNTRY MAY ALSO SEE SOME ICE ACCUMULATIONS AS TEMPERATURES DROP INTO THE MID 20S.

ADDITIONAL ICE ACCUMULATIONS CAN BE EXPECTED TUESDAY NIGHT INTO
WEDNESDAY MORNING AS AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD. TOTAL ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE TO TWO TENTHS OF A INCH ARE POSSIBLE...WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS EXPECTED ACROSS EASTERN
SECTIONS OF THE BIG COUNTRY. TRAVEL CONDITIONS ON AREA
ROADS...BRIDGES...AND OVERPASSES WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS WITH
TEMPERATURES TUESDAY NIGHT IN THE LOW TO MID 20S.

A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Breaking News - Freezing Drizzle Developing

From the NWS/San Angelo:

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANGELO TX
149 PM CST MON JAN 26 2009

...FREEZING DRIZZLE NOW DEVELOPING ACROSS THE BIG COUNTRY...

TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE BIG COUNTRY...MAINLY NORTH AND WEST OF
ABILENE...HAVE NOW DROPPED INTO THE UPPER 20S TO NEAR THE 30
DEGREE MARK. A LARGER AREA OF FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CONTINUE TO
DEVELOP...AND WITH TEMPERATURES CONTINUING TO SLOWLY FALL...ICY
SPOTS WILL BEGIN TO DEVELOP ON AREA ROADWAYS. FOR THE REMAINDER OF
THE AFTERNOON...THESE ICY SPOTS WILL MAINLY BE CONFINED TO
ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES...AND MAINLY FROM
SWEETWATER TO ROBY...ANSON...AND HASKELL. HOWEVER...BY
SUNSET...ICY SPOTS MAY BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AND REACH INTO THE
ABILENE AREA AS WELL.

CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN TRAVELING ACROSS THE BIG COUNTRY.

Special Weather Statement - Freezing Rain Threat

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANGELO TX
931 AM CST MON JAN 26 2009

...FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL TEXAS
THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

A STRONG COLD FRONT IS CURRENTLY PUSHING THROUGH WEST CENTRAL
TEXAS THIS MORNING...AND WILL USHER IN A SHALLOW COLD AIR MASS
INTO MUCH OF WEST CENTRAL TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURES ARE
ALREADY IN THE UPPER 20S AND LOW 30S ACROSS MUCH OF THE BIG
COUNTRY...AND TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE CONCHO VALLEY AND HEARTLAND
ARE EXPECTED TO DROP INTO THE 30S THIS AFTERNOON. AN UPPER LEVEL
TROUGH IS ALSO DEVELOPING ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST UNITED STATES...AND
WILL BRING INCREASED CHANCES FOR PRECIPITATION ACROSS WEST CENTRAL
TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY. AS THE SHALLOW COLD AIR
CONTINUES TO FILTER IN...WARMER...MOIST AIR WILL SURGE NORTH OVER
THE COLD AIR...CAUSING ANY RAINFALL THAT DOES DEVELOP TO FREEZE AS
IT FALLS INTO THE COLD AIR NEAR THE SURFACE.

AT THIS TIME...THERE ARE STILL SOME UNCERTAINTIES IN REGARD TO THE
LOCATION OF THE COLDEST AIR...AND THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE AVAILABLE
TO PRODUCE PRECIPITATION. THE CURRENT FORECAST HAS THE SUBFREEZING
TEMPERATURES GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF AN ELDORADO TO SAN SABA LINE TUESDAY MORNING...WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 20S ACROSS THE BIG
COUNTRY...AND IN THE UPPER 20S TO LOW 30S ACROSS THE CONCHO VALLEY
AND HEARTLAND.

THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL PUSH EAST ACROSS THE SOUTHERN UNITED
STATES TUESDAY AFTERNOON...CAUSING THE SHALLOW COLD AIR TO SAG
FURTHER SOUTH INTO SOUTHERN TEXAS. THIS WILL CAUSE TEMPERATURES
ALONG THE INTERSTATE 10 CORRIDOR TO ALSO DROP INTO THE LOW 30S. AS A
RESULT...THE FREEZING LINE WILL PUSH FURTHER SOUTH TUESDAY NIGHT
INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...AND WILL BE LOCATED GENERALLY SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE 10. FROZEN PRECIPITATION IS POSSIBLE ACROSS ALL OF WEST
CENTRAL TEXAS TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING WITH ANY
PRECIPITATION THAT DOES FORM.

AREA RESIDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE TRAVEL HAZARDS
STARTING MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY AS AREA ROADS MAY
BECOME SLIPPERY...ESPECIALLY BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. STAY TUNED
TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL MEDIA...AND INTERNET SOURCES FOR THE
LATEST FORECASTS.


*** Scan down the blog for the morning blog discussion ***

Freezing Rain Threat:

*** Freezing Rain Advisory for Eastland , Stephens & Comanche County from 6:00 PM This Evening until 6:00 AM Tuesday Morning.***

*** Winter Storm Watch for Eastland , Stephens & Comanche County from 6:00 AM Tuesday Morning until 6:00 PM Tuesday Evening.***

*** Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Knox County until 12:00 PM Tuesday ***

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* Going to keep this short and focus on the main forecast event for the next 48 hours. An Arctic cold front continues to move through the Big Country this morning bringing cold weather into the area. Moisture is moving in from the south and southeast along a semi-warm front. This moisture and the warmer air will get lifted over the cold air mass. Areas of light rain will develop during the day today. By the late afternoon and early evening, areas of light freezing rain will develop. This threat will last into the night tonight.

* Temperatures will hover around freezing during the day on Tuesday with the threat of freezing rain possible all during the day and into Tuesday night. Tuesday night the temperatures will drop back into the middle 20s. The winter weather threat will come to an end on by the time we get into Wednesday morning.

* Ice accumulations will be possible on bridges and overpasses. A few hundreths of an inch of rain canm create a 1/4" of ice. Remember the event event we dealt with back earlier in the month. Those same concerns will be possible for the roadway.

* Stay tuned to KRBC News and bigcountryhomepage.com throughout the day as this event unfolds and new information comes into the news and weather departments.

Winter Weather Possible by Tuesday

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

Ready for more winter weather? The forecast is getting more interesting all the time.

First, the long advertised rain stays in the forecast from Monday night through Wednesday.

Secondly, there is going to be a slow push of Arctic air arriving late day Monday and lingering through Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 20's Tuesday morning and stay in the low to mid 30's Tuesday and the middle 20's Tuesday night. Any rain which falls could possibly freeze to surfaces, especially Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
We're still looking at light rain totals but if it's freezing rain, we could experience some travel trouble Tuesday into Wednesday.

Be sure to check our news and weather pages on Bigcountryhomepage.com for the latest advisories and updates. Here is my forecast for the Abilene area:

Sunday Night: Increasing clouds, low near 42. Southeast and east wind 5 to 10.

Monday: Turning mostly cloudy with a slight 20% chance of rain late in the day. High near 50. southeast wind 5 to 15 shifting north during the day as a cold front oozes slowly through the area.

Monday Night: Cloudy and turning colder, low near 28. A 30% chance for rain, possibly light freezing rain.

Tuesday: Cloudy and cold, highs low 30's, may not get above freezing, 30% chance for light rain and light freezing rain.

Tuesday Night: Icy conditions possible with light freezing rain, low in the middle 20's, 30% chance for rain.

Wednesday: Continued mostly cloudy and cold with 30% chance of light freezing rain in the morning, followed by decreasing chance of rain in the afternoon. High upper 40's.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, low 35.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, middle 50's, cold front late day.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, upper 20's.

Friday: Mostly sunny, mid 50's.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, near 60 with another cold front late.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, middle 50's.

Freezing Rain Potential Monday Night through Wednesday Morning

The following statement was issued Sunday afternoon by the National Weather Service in San Angelo ....

...FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL TEXAS
MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO PUSH SOUTH INTO THE REGION...USHERING IN
A SHALLOW COLD AIR MASS INTO PORTIONS OF TEXAS MONDAY AFTERNOON.
TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP INTO THE 20S AND 30S LATE MONDAY
INTO TUESDAY MORNING ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHERN SECTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL TEXAS.

AT THE SAME TIME...AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST UNITED STATES...BRINGING INCREASED CHANCES FOR PRECIPITATION ACROSS WEST CENTRAL TEXAS MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

AS THE SHALLOW COLD AIR CONTINUES TO FILTER IN...WARMER...MOIST AIR WILL SURGE NORTH OVER THE COLD AIR...CAUSING ANY RAINFALL THAT DOES DEVELOP TO POSSIBLY FREEZE AS IT FALLS INTO THE COLD AIR NEAR THE SURFACE.
AT THIS TIME...THERE ARE STILL UNCERTAINTIES IN REGARD TO THE
LOCATION OF THE COLDEST AIR...AND THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE AVAILABLE
TO PRODUCE PRECIPITATION. THE CURRENT FORECAST HAS THE SUBFREEZING
TEMPERATURES GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A SAN ANGELO TO
BROWNWOOD LINE TUESDAY MORNING...WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 20S
ACROSS THE BIG COUNTRY...AND IN THE LOW 30S ACROSS THE CONCHO
VALLEY AND HEARTLAND.

AREA RESIDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE TRAVEL HAZARDS
MONDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY ON AREA ROADS...ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND
OVERPASSES. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL MEDIA...AND
INTERNET SOURCES FOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Changes Are Coming:

* Here is the lastest drought information for the area *

Good Morning from Meteorologist Chris Whited...

* For the latest information on the fire in Jones County, please visit the main page or the KRBC News page on bigcountryhomepage.com Stephanie has just informed me that fire is 100% contained which is great news. As Randy mentioned on here yesterday, a big thank you from myself as well to all the volunteer fire departments from across the area who have been working day and night since lunchtime yesterday fighting the fire in Jones County.

* Another very warm day across the Big Country today with highs climbing into the upper 70s with a few low 80s across the areas south of I-20. The cold front will move into the northern counties by early afternoon and will be near the I-20 corridor by the drive home in the afternoon (5-6PM). Sharp cool down expected as lows tonight drop near freezing and highs on Saturday only in the middle to upper
40s.

* Fire Weather: There are no active fire weather advisories for the Big Country but having said that, it will be warm and windy today so elevated fire weather concerns will continue for the day today. Winds will shift from the southwest to north as the front comes in today and we're expecting winds between 15 to 25 mph.

* Rain Chances: Rain chances still being showing up on the forecast model runs this morning for Monday and Tuesday. Don't expect a good soaking rain as this is just a small rain chance but with moderate and severe drought in place, we'll take what we can get.

Have a great Thursday!

Beautiful Sunset Picture

We want to thank Shannon Middlebrook from Anson who always has a camera handy to find those "picture perfect" shots - like this one of a Thursday sunset.

Latest Drought Monitor

Yes - It's Has Really Been That Dry !!!

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

Did you know that the City of Abilene has only had two-tenths (.20) of an inch of rain since November 1, 2008?

In September, Abilene measured 2.51 inches. October was wet with 3.15 inches but the following tells the story of the Big Country drought in the winte of 08/09:

November - .11 - (4 days of light rain)
December - .01 - (2 days of light rain)
January - .08 so far - (1 day of light rain)

Least there is rain in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday - keep on hoping !!!!

Have You Hugged a Volunteer Fireman Today?

From KRBC Chief Meteorologist Randy Turner ...

Before I get to weather, I wanted to send out kudo's to all the volunteer firemen who spring into action at a moments notice and put their life on the line. We saw that first hand Thursday with the big fire near Hawley and it is a scenario repeated time and time again. These folks love their communities and are to be commended for their hard work. And if you have a little extra money burning a hole in your pocket, your volunteer department can always use the funds to keep the equipment repaired.

Speaking of fires, the wildfire danger isn't going to get any better Friday or Saturday. It should improve a little by Sunday as more moisture returns to the area. I'm still forecasting rain for Monday and Tuesday which will ease the situation even more.

The weather pattern is going through a change right now, which is good news for us because we stand a better chance to see weather systems come our way from the southwest and, hopefully, produce rain.

Friday is another warm and windy day, followed by a strong cold front around sunset or so..

Saturday high temperatures will likely not get out of the 40's and, combined with northeast wind, there will be a chill in the air all day.

Sunday, temperatures warm up a little more, clouds increase and low level moisture makes a return, something we haven't seen in quite a while.

Monday should be a cloudy day with scattered showers around the area, hit and miss, amounts probably won't be much. Another cold front should arrive late Monday or Monday night. I'll carry that rain chance over to the Tuesday forecast before the system exits stage right.

Temperatures look like this:
Friday - mid 70's. Friday night - low 30's. Saturday - upper 40's. Saturday night - upper 20's.
Sunday - near 60. Monday and Tuesday - upper 50's.

Remember, most of the counties in the KRBC viewing area are under a Burn Ban so please be careful out there. Take care !! Randy

Breaking News: Jones County Fire Warning Update (5:43 PM)

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FIRE WARNING
JONES COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN ANGELO TX
542 PM CST THU JAN 22 2009

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE JONES
COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

AT 5:30 PM...A LARGE WILDFIRE CONTINUES APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES EAST OF
HAWLEY AND WAS MOVING EAST NORTHEAST. RESIDENTS IN THE FOLLOWING
AREA SHOULD EVACUATE THEIR HOMES IMMEDIATELY.

THE AREA IS DEFINED FROM F.M. 1082 NORTH TO U.S. HIGHWAY 180 AND
FROM F.M. 1226 EAST TO F.M. 600.

PERSONS IN AND NEAR NUGENT AND THE NORTHERN END OF LAKE FORT
PHANTOM HILL SHOULD BE PREPARED TO EVACUATE.