A developing winter storm could impact Texas this weekend, with impacts ranging from a cold, soaking rain in South Texas to accumulating snow across North Texas.
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Texas is once again in the crosshairs of extreme weather, with a winter storm expected to impact the state this weekend.
While the event is still days away, confidence is growing that Central Texas will experience a dramatic temperature plunge on Friday. By Saturday, Pacific moisture is forecast to ride over the freezing air, creating the potential for freezing rain, sleet, or snow.
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Central Texas will see a dramatic temperature drop on Friday as a blustery cold front sweeps through the region.
WeatherBell
Arctic cold front to hit Central Texas this weekend
A strong, blustery Arctic front will move into Texas on Friday, bringing much colder temperatures into Central Texas.
Morning temperatures will start in the upper 50s and briefly warm into the low to mid-60s before the front dives south, sending temperatures below freezing by Saturday morning and keeping them in the low to mid-30s through the day.
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Winds will turn out of the north, sustained between 8–15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. This will drive “feels like” temperatures, or wind chills, down into the 20s and teens through Sunday morning.
Freezing temperatures are expected Saturday morning with feel-like temperatures in the 20s with gusty north winds.
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Thick cloud cover will remain in place through most of the weekend, keeping temperatures very cold.
“Hazardous cold temperatures are possible, especially Sunday morning and Monday morning when the coldest of the post-frontal airmass moves over the region,” a meteorologist at the Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service wrote in their discussion on Tuesday. “Based on the latest model blend, there is a 50 to 70 percent chance that portions of the (warning area) north of I-10 could see low temperatures below 20 degrees with colder wind chills as a north wind continues through the cold period.”
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During this time, an upper-level low-pressure system will move east from the Pacific Ocean, over Baja California and Mexico, and then into Texas. A swath of moisture could intersect the frigid air, leading to wintry weather from Friday night through Sunday morning.
A strong upper-level low will move over Texas from the southeast leading to wintery precipitation beginning Friday night and lasting through Sunday morning.
Weather Prediction Center
What we don’t know
While temperatures are expected to fall below freezing at times and moisture will move into the region this weekend, questions remain about the timing of the disturbance, the placement of any wintry precipitation, and how much moisture accompanies the Pacific system.
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“As the wedge of shallow subfreezing air following the front undercuts the rain, a transition to freezing rain, sleet, or a mix of the two from north to south may materialize Saturday into Sunday,” the NWS wrote. “There are a 40-60 percent chance of at least minor winter weather impacts this weekend over the Hill Country and Austin area.”
As temperatures fall below freezing and moisture moves overhead, a round of freezing rain or sleet could develop over the weekend.
National Weather Service
How to prepare for winter storm
Now is the time to prepare for the potential winter storm this weekend. Protect the four P’s—people, pets, pipes, and plants—by staying warm, bringing pets indoors, insulating exposed pipes, and covering sensitive plants.
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If you plan to use a space heater to stay warm, practice safe heater habits—keep it at least three feet away from anything flammable, never leave it unattended, and plug it directly into a wall outlet. Taking these precautions now can help reduce the risk of damage or injury if winter weather impacts the area.
Preparation is key when dealing with winter storms.
National Weather Service
