Good morning and happy Saturday everyone!  The main forecast highlights for today will be the chance for heavy rainfall and storms across deep south Texas today and overnight.  A weakening upper level low will cross the south Texas region later today which will work to enhance rain and storm chances this afternoon and into the overnight hours.  Widespread 1-2 inches is likely…with some pockets of higher 3-4 inches… for areas mainly south of Hwy44.  There is also a chance for a few strong to severe storms this evening and overnight for the south Texas region as well.  The Storm Prediction Center has placed a Marginal Risk (Level 1) for areas mainly south of the Hwy285 corridor which includes the cities of Brownsville, Falfurrias, Harlingen and McAllen.  Gusty winds and frequent lightning will be the main threats with any of the strong to severe storms that develop  and move through later this afternoon or evening across the south Texas area.

Further north into central Texas, no severe weather is expected…just on and off rainfall as we head through the day and overnight.  Temps will remain below average for areas under extensive cloud cover today…which is basically the entire southern half of the state and up into north central, northeast and eastern Texas.  The panhandle and western Texas will see the best chances today for receiving some sunshine and will warm to above average highs by later this afternoon.  Lows overnight will be pleasant ranging from the 50s and 60s across north central, central and south central Texas.  The panhandle region will see the chilliest temps overnight dropping into the 40s which is still pretty seasonal for early March.  Rain moves out on Sunday, then we look to our next chance for rain and a few strong storms Monday afternoon and evening mainly across far northeast Texas.  We’ll have more details out on that in tomorrow’s blog update!