Mother Nature is about to put the recent spring-like warmth across Central Texas on pause this weekend. A strong, dry cold front is sweeping through the region, and the change in the weather will be noticeable within 24 hours.
While this front won’t deliver any rain, it will send temperatures tumbling more than 30 degrees while introducing much drier air into the region. Dew point temperatures, an indicator of atmospheric moisture, will drop by more than 40 degrees, pushing relative humidity values down to around 10%.
Behind the front, north winds will turn breezy by midday, with sustained winds between 10 and 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Then, wind speeds will strengthen to as much as 35 mph by evening across Central Texas.
We won’t see an immediate temperature drop on Saturday. In fact, temperatures will still be in the middle to upper 70s for the afternoon. The more notable cooling shows up Saturday night with temps dropping into the mid-30s to mid-40s overnight into Sunday morning.
“A few spots across the Hill Country may approach freezing around sunrise Sunday, especially in protected valleys where winds go light,” meteorologists at the National Weather Service office for Austin and San Antonio wrote in their forecast discussion.
High atmospheric pressure will build in behind the front for the second half of the weekend and into the start of the workweek, bringing clear nights and plenty of sunshine during the day. Afternoon temperatures will return closer to winter seasonal levels Sunday, topping out in the mid-60s, before climbing a degree or two on Monday with highs closer to 70 degrees.
A warming trend will take hold Tuesday as the system of high pressure system shifts east and southerly winds return to Central Texas. Temperatures will climb into the upper 70s Tuesday, then surge into the 80s and even 90s, from Wednesday through Friday.
Cedar season is still lingering across Central Texas, with counts in the low to medium range, but signs of spring are beginning to emerge. Recent allergy reports show other tree pollens making an appearance, including ash, elm, and oak, which is a clear sign that spring tree blooms are just around the corner.