On Groundhog Day, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil revealed that there will be six more weeks of winter after he saw his shadow Wednesday, Feb. 2. In the Taylor area, hard freezes, sleet and icy conditions this week will help verify that prediction.
Williamson County will be under a Winter Storm Warning for most of Thursday, Feb. 3, from midnight to 9 p.m. Subfreezing temperatures and wintry precipitation are the focus of concern.
“A very strong arctic cold front will move through South Central Texas Wednesday afternoon and evening bringing the coldest temperatures we have seen so far this winter,” said the National Weather Service (NWS) Austin/San Antonio Office. “Confidence continues to increase that a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet will occur across portions of south central Texas by Thursday morning and continue through the day.”
As of Wednesday evening, the forecast called for 2/10-1/3 inch of local ice accumulation for Thursday.
“Medium to high confidence exists that freezing rain and sleet amounts could cause travel impacts through the Hill Country and into the Austin metro area by Thursday morning and continue through the day,” said the NWS. “Travel could be very difficult on untreated roads, especially elevated bridges, overpasses and roadways.”
Sleet is also possible but will be more likely in the Hill Country, where up to a 3/4 of an inch is possible. The Hill Country could possibly experience a 60-hour freeze.
Freezing weekend
Before the arctic front hits, Wednesday shouldn’t feel too cold but could still be wet with a 70% chance of showers and high of 65 degrees. Wednesday night has a 90% chance of precipitation and low of 28 degrees.
On Thursday, there’s a small chance a little snow could accompany any sleet or freezing rain that falls in the area. Regardless, the forecast calls for a 70% chance of any precipitation. Winds will be from the north-northwest at 20-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
Rain will be gone by Friday, Feb. 4, and lead into sunny weather Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 5-6. However, temperatures and wind chills will remain a factor.
“Brisk northerly winds will produce bitterly cold wind chill values Thursday through Saturday mornings, ranging from the single digits to teens,” said the NWS Austin/San Antonio Office. “A risk for hypothermia exists for those spending extended time outdoors and not dressed in layers and gloves.”
Friday might break above freezing weather with a high of 34 degrees, but the night might dip back to around 18 degrees. Winds should be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Saturday and Sunday will have highs around 40 and 50 degrees, respectively, but lows are forecast to be in the 20s. Monday, Feb. 7, is forecast with a high in the lower 50s and low possibly still below freezing.
This week’s winter weather follows a rainy Monday, Jan. 31, when the Taylor Texas Weather Network recorded 2.23 inches of rain fell in Taylor.
