GRAB THE JACKETS AND UMBRELLAS - ARCTIC FRONT MOVING IN{/strong}

We made it to the low and mid-80s yesterday in Central Texas, and we won’t be that warm again for the next 1-2 weeks. An arctic cold front arriving this morning will usher in our coldest air of the season, and it will stick around for a long time. This front will make quick work of warm/humid temperatures by late morning with a winter chill intensifying through the rest of the day. Numerous storms will develop along and behind the cold cold front adding to the messy, wintry feel outside.

COLD FRONT TIMING{/strong}

Only minor adjustments have been made to the timing of this morning’s cold front. The Hill Country will feel it first between 8-10 AM, Austin up next closer to noon, then the front will clear our area after 2 PM. The instant the front moves through your neighborhood, temperatures will fall by at least 10 degrees and storm chances will increase shortly thereafter.

STORM CHANCE + IMPACTS{/strong}

Storms have already developed through west Texas this morning. Get your CBS Austin Weather app downloaded and track them as they moved quickly to the east/southeast. They will fill in behind the cold front, likely spreading over all of Central Texas through the heart of the day.

Highest coverage of storms will be in place from late morning to early afternoon. Severe weather is unlikely, but we can’t totally rule out one or two storms briefly spitting out some quarter-size hail and gusty winds over 50 MPH. Otherwise, this is a decent rainfall opportunity with isolated totals over 1” possible.

Heads up: These storms will likely be MUCH noisier than usual. Thanks to a strong temperature inversion developing in the wake of this cold front, the sound waves from thunder will be trapped and amplified near the surface. That will make thunder louder and it will last much longer with low rumbles shaking the house a bit.

TEMPERATURES{/strong}

Don’t leave home without the jacket this morning. You will regret it. After starting the day in the low to mid-70s, temperatures fall into the 40s/50s area-wide during our usual warmest time of the day (3-4 PM). Thanks to north winds gusting up to 35 MPH behind the front, there will be a wind chill between 30-40 degrees through your Friday evening plans.

FREEZING AIR TEMPERATURES{/strong} are expected west of I-35 on SATURDAY MORNING. Lows between 30-35 degrees will harm fall gardens and other sensitive vegetation. Cover up those plants, and bring the pets inside.

FREEZING AIR TEMPERATURES {/strong}will once again be possible on SUNDAY MORNING on either side of I-35. Plan accordingly!

LONG-LASTING CHILL{/strong}

Jackets will be needed through the weekend with highs in just the upper 50s on Saturday and Sunday. It will be a chilly home game on the forty acres as TCU heads into town to take on the longhorns. Jackets and gloves needed!

Another storm system and cold front will arrive on Monday with another widespread rain chance and reinforcing cool air. Highs will stay in the 40s/50s all of next week with a few mornings in the 30s.

LAKE LEVELS{/strong}

Lake Travis is falling slowly with an elevation of 640.3 feet (47% full, 26 feet below average)

Lake Buchanan is falling slowly with an elevation of 1002.2 feet (61% full, 8.5 feet below average)