Spring-like temperatures expected to stay in the Big Country for a while
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – There’s no doubt that it has been unseasonably warm for this time of year. There’s only one thing that could be behind all of this, and that is Punxsutawney Phil, the beloved Pennsylvanian groundhog.
On Friday, February 2, 2024, Phil did not see his shadow, meaning early spring is on the way, and now spring appears to be here a little early.
Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring at Groundhog Day festivities
Yesterday, February 20th, was the first 80-degree day of the 2024 year. Unfortunately, we did not break the record high of 86 degrees set back in 1976, but we sure came close with an official high of 85 degrees.
We are chasing another high record today of 92 degrees, which was set back in 1996. Temperatures today may even be a few degrees warmer than yesterday. The forecasted high is 89 degrees, so we are expected to fall short of yet another record, but regardless, it is very warm for this time of year.
Wake-Up Weather: close but no cigar when it comes to record temperatures
Now, the Big Country is expecting a couple of cold fronts to move through and cool things off over the next seven days. Breezy northwest winds will develop Thursday (February 22) as a surface trough moves through.
Temperatures will be cooler, with highs ranging from the lower 70s in the Big Country to the upper 70s along I-10. The cold front Thursday night will cool highs down to the mid-60s to lower 70s on Friday. That can be seen in the Surface Fronts and Sea-Level Pressures forecast below.
The cooldown will be short-lived, as warm temperatures return Saturday with highs in the 70s and back into the 80s Sunday into Tuesday. Monday will be the warmest day, with highs of 85 to 90.
One thing we rarely see this time of year is elevated fire conditions. With the dry conditions, warm temperatures, and breezy winds, fire weather conditions will become elevated from Sunday into Tuesday, with well-above-normal temperatures and breezy-to-windy conditions.
From @Sam Nichols: Weather Forecast, Wednesday, February 21: Windy and mild Thursday
The only weather feature that won’t increase over the next week or two is the rainfall potential. The latest precipitation outlook keeps the Big Country and other portions of Texas in a below-average zone for rainfall.
The 6–10-day Precipitation Outlook is valid through March 1st. While most of the US will have plenty of potential for rain, we are not expecting much, if any, rainfall throughout the remainder of the month and potentially the start of March.
As temperatures continue to rise, with the lack of rainfall, we could see drought conditions begin to worsen across the Big Country. Hopefully, the weather pattern will change once March gets here, but for now, let’s enjoy the warm and beautiful weather.
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