HOLIDAY WEEKEND LOOKING STEAMY
Updated at 9:00 am on Friday July 3rd, 2009
by KTXS Meteorologist Chad Garneau

 

Well the three day weekend is officially underway in The Big Country.  Many folks will be going out boating or cooking out by the grill.  Remember if you plan on going out during the afternoon be sure to ready for the heat.

By this Friday afternoon, temperatures are almost guaranteed to flirt with 100 degrees while the sunshine beams down on us.  Meanwhile, our winds will try to pick up late this afternoon with the pressure gradient tightening.

If you plan on going out to Tye or another place to see fireworks this evening just be ready for temperatures in the low to mid 80's with a high dose of mosquitoes.

After midnight, temperatures will slip down to the mid 70's with a couple high clouds looming over West Central Texas.

The forecast for the 4th of July is expected to be hot and dry with thermometers hanging out in the upper 90's.  Obviously, make sure to drink plenty of water and try to find some shade when you can.

A weak cold front becomes our saving grace by Sunday.  This front will start to slip through in the afternoon and should prompt some showers to develop in our region. By Monday we'll get caught up in the cloud cover and maybe a few spotty showers.  Temperatures early next week may only be in the 80's.

That is it from the weather center.  Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.

SUMMER OUTLOOK
Updated at 9:00 am on Tuesday June 30 2009
by KTXS Meteorologist Chad Garneau

**THIS PRODUCT IS NOT UPDATED ON WEEKENDS**

        In the 6-10 day outlook, a weak cold front may stumble into portions of The Big Country.  This may leave the door open for storms to develop early next week.

       In the 8-14 day outlook, an upper level ridge becomes stronger and rests near the state of Texas.  The change in the weather pattern should lead temperatures back in the 90's/100's with ample sunshine.

        BREAKING WEATHER NEWS:  THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER ISSUES FIRST EL NINO WATCH !!!!The Climate Prediction Center has released new information that conditions are favorable from a transition from the ENSO Neutral Phase to El Nino conditions during June-August 09.  El Nino means that our Pacific waters get rather warm and is the reverse of La Nina.  If you remember, La Nina developed late last year and gave us a very dry winter.  This is typical with La Nina as the cooling of The Pacific Ocean leads to drought for The Southern Plains.    However, with the sea surface temperatures now showing signs of warming, this could lead to some of the best news that many of us have heard for over 2 years now.  And that is a decent chance of seeing moisture for the remainder of the year including the winter months which is known for fires across Oklahoma and Texas.

       The drought could see some major improvements and I would not be surprised if by the end of the year, Texas is a mostly drought-free state.