The weather pattern will be quiet this weekend and into next week with temperatures climbing to well above average by the middle of next week.  No rain (or snow) is expected between now and Wednesday, but we’ll see our next weather-maker arrive by next Thursday which will bring wet weather chances back into the forecast during the latter part of next week.  Whether that will be all liquid or include some wintry precipitation is unclear at this time, so be sure to check back for updates as we get into the work week ahead.  For today, arctic air remains planted overhead with temperatures across most of the state barely getting above freezing by mid-afternoon.  Roadways across much of the panhandle will still be slick this morning, especially secondary roads which are not sanded or plowed.  Across north Texas, many areas will still have residual patches of ice and glaze leftover from yesterday’s light snow, so be sure to exercise caution when heading out this morning.  

For tonight, we drop down into the teens and 20s across most of the state…including freezing to near freezing temperatures all the way down into the Rio Grande Valley region.  Another night of potentially pipe-busting temperatures, especially for the northern half of the state. I left all my faucets dripping last night and still had one pipe freeze, so hopefully that one line didn’t break.  And as a reminder, be sure to check on your elderly neighbors to be sure they have adequate heat, and also be sure outdoor pets and livestock have shelter and access to unfrozen water. Low temperatures into Monday morning look above freezing for most…so we’ll certainly welcome that warming trend ahead!

As mentioned above…mild and dry this week until we get into Thursday and the arrival of our next upper level system and the arrival of a cold front.  Current long-range forecast models are showing much different solutions for next week’s rain and winter weather chances, so obviously we can’t say with any confidence if we’ll get mostly rain or experience another winter weather event.  At any rate, we’ll certainly be watching this next system closely over the next 5 days and will keep you up to date on the forecast as it develops!