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A cool, rather cloudy Saturday awaits you outdoors. That chilly breeze we had around yesterday vanished as winds from the southeast returned, pumping moisture back into Central Texas.

Cloudy skies redeveloped much earlier than expected last night, effectively “blanketing” our area and preventing temps from dropping into the predicted 30s this morning.

We’ll see a rare sun breaks or two though clouds will likely prevail, eventually unleashing some light rain/drizzle after sunset. We’ve raised the rain chance to 30% starting tonight through Sunday. Temps will warm a bit more tomorrow, up to near 70, even in spite of likely overcast skies.

Out next polar front’s moving into the Northern Rockies today and will sweep into Texas Monday to clear out the skies and cool us down again. Then, by Wednesday of next week, Gulf moisture resumes again.

Holiday Outlook… Computer models now indicate we’ll have enough moisture to generate rainfall on Thansgiving Day as a cold front approaches. Next Friday’s cold blast sets us up for a cool holiday weekend. Travelers should plan for extra time as streets may be slick across Texas.

Be sure to check back here for updates, with specific details on the 8-day forecast.

Meteor Confirmed?…  Space junk has been seemingly ruled out, according to reports from trackers of the Soyuz rocket once belived to have been the object burning up in the skies over Alberta late Thursday night, as seen in yesterday’s posting and also a still image from dashcam law enforcement video.  The meteor, likely an asteroid 1 to 10 meters wide, can be streaking through the sky in the upper-right hand part of the picture.

Enjoy your Saturday. 

Meteorologist
Burton Fitzsimmons

A cold, dry northerly breeze offers the feel of 20s and 30s this morning but will eventually tame down later today. We’re in for a cool, rather cloudy fall weekend ahead…

Peak overnight gusts:

39mph Lockhart (452a)
30mph ABIA (433a)
30mph San Marcos (5a)
30mph Waco (12a)
28mph Fort Hood (315a)
28mph Killeen (315a)
28mph Temple (230a)
26mph Camp Mabry (5a)

Even with partly sunny skies today, we won’t warm much more than the mid 50s by afternoon. Futurecast indicates winds decreasing this afternoon, setting up for a cold night in the 30s and possibly a light freeze in the suburbs and Hills. We’ll hold above freezing in town.

As slightly warmer, more humid air aloft from the southwest flows up and over the cool air hugging the ground over Texas (a process called overrunning,) clouds will develop and may include a few drizzle drops or light rain especially Saturday night into Sunday — a 20% chance.

High pressure building over Texas Sunday will help us warm to near 70 before another kink in the jet stream sweeps south, offering another weaker polar front Monday with a 20% rain chance. We’ll be cool into the middle of the holiday week.

Thanksgiving Day… I’m not yet comfortably confident in the forecast for our holiday next Thursday. Another shift in the jet stream appears to be forming by middle of next week while Gulf air returns, signaling a shift towards wetter weather. A cold front is now expected to arrive late Thursday into Friday and may very well wreak havoc on some outdoor plans, including travel across Texas.

Be sure to check back often for updates here and on the 8-day forecast.

Fireball in the Sky…  Andy Bartlett of Alberta, Canada, says his home shook when a fireball of unknown origin flashed through the skies right about dinnertime last night.  According to spaceweather.com, it may have been part of a Soyuz rocket that was supposed to make re-entry today, but also might’ve been an asteroid.  No confirmation yet from the Russians.  Statistically speaking, odds favor the asteroid theory. 

Enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend.

Meteorologist
Burton Fitzsimmons