BurtonFitzsimmons.com

If we get through this final calendar day of August 2010 without any measured rain at Camp Mabry, it’ll go down in the record books as the driest August in the city since 1957.

High pressure over Texas keeps the above-normal heat around through midweek before our next big weather change.  Slim 20% rain chances improve to at least 30% when a cold front arrives on Friday, and I think you’ll like the results.

Doppler radar remained quiet overnight until 530am, when a very small shower popped up near Lockhart.

There were a few sprinkles for morning drivers and more organized showers and storms possible during the afternoon hours, as seen on Futurecast.  Highs today will range from mid 90s to near 100 and could feel as hot as 105-110.

As high pressure moves away from Texas late this week, upper-level winds from the north will flow southeast helping to propel Friday’s front all the way through Central Texas.  Surface winds from the northeast will offer lower humidity and slightly cooler temps to enjoy.  The comfort lasts until southerly, humidity-laden breezes begin to return Sunday.

Check out the 8-day forecast for more details.

In the Tropics…

Hurricane Earl is now a powerful Category 4 hurricane, sporting a well-defined eye on both satellite and radar loops.  The official forecast shows Earl intensifying even more in the next 24 hours then curving north towards the Eastern Seaboard.  Although the forecast margin of error shows impact on land from the Carolinas to Nova Scotia, latest computer models keep Earl right off land with Cat 2 or 3 impact Thursday through Saturday.

Danielle has weakened. As she passes through the colder waters of the north Atlantic, she should continue to lose strength.

Tropical Storm Fiona formed yesterday in the wake of Earl.  According to the forecast, she isn’t expected to become as much of a monster as her leader.  Time will tell!

Facebook: facebook.com/ynnaustin

Twitter: @news8austin @news8burton @maureenmccann8

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons

A welcome break from the stifling streak of 100s finally arrives!  Yesterday was the peak:  we endured the hottest temps in five years in Austin, a day of record-breaking heat that turned stormy for some.  Today, we expect 90s and a few more rain drops.

For Camp Mabry, this was the hottest temperature since September 2005, and it ranks as 1 of only 14 days of 107 or hotter since 1926!  Similarly, ABIA’s high was the 11th day of 107+ since 1942.

The weak cold front has moved through our area, ushering in a N/NE breeze up to 15mph this morning.  It’s refreshingly less humid than the Gulf breeze, which typically dominates our weather this time of year.  Look for highs in the mid 90s today under partly sunny skies.  More sun and more heat will come in the days ahead, but we expect most areas to stay below 100.

Futurecast shows a coastal low pressure storm in the Gulf nearing the Lower Coast of Texas by Friday. It looks like we’ll be on the dry side of this storm but, as the National Hurricane Center warns this morning, another area of low pressure in the Central Gulf may start to organize and could even become a tropical depression (10% chance.) Enough moisture will flow back into the coast to give us increasing rain chances through the weekend.

Next week starts with potential for showers but ends up quite hot and dry again as high pressure resumes control. Check the details on the 8-day forecast.

Tuesday Storms… A round of strong to severe storms blossomed along the cold front as it approached the area yesterday, producing property damage and isolated rain totals.

Hot Count… Our triple digit tally shows 19 100+ days at Austin-Mabry, 14 at Austin-Bergstrom, and 27 at Waco.  Out of the 27 in Waco, 25 have been consecutive, which puts 2010 in 5th place for greatest number of 100+ days in a row in that city.

Active Tropics… Danielle weakened yesterday but regained strength overnight, now back up to Cat 1 hurricane status.  Theofficial forecast shows Danielle generally moving towards Bermuda by Sunday.  Another storm is brewing in her wake, just off the coast of Africa, and could become a new cyclone to track within the next 24 hours.  Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Frankcontinues to move slowly WNW while paralleling the southern coast of Mexico, and could become a weak hurricane soon while nearing Baja.

Interact… We invite you to join us on facebook.com/ynnaustin and on twitter @news8austin and@news8burton and @MaureenMcCann8.

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons