Record-Breaking Bitter Cold, Arctic Air Mass Arrival on Saturday Night

SAN ANGELO – In an imminent weather development, an Arctic cold front is poised to sweep through the area, ushering in bitterly cold temperatures over the weekend and lingering into the early part of the coming week. The forecast indicates that wind chill values on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday mornings are expected to plummet into the single digits, with some locations dipping below zero. While most areas are anticipated to remain precipitation-free, our eastern counties face a slight chance of experiencing very light ice accumulations.

As observed in recent days, a bitter cold arctic air mass is on the verge of making its way into the region this weekend. Although there are slight variations among models regarding the timing of the arctic front on Saturday, the general consensus places the front south of the Interstate 20 corridor by late afternoon or early evening. Subsequently, it is expected to continue its southward trajectory, passing through the I-10 corridor shortly after midnight on Saturday night.

Behind this advancing front, temperatures are projected to reach their lowest points of the season so far. Sunday morning lows across much of the area are anticipated to drop into the teens, with similar readings persisting each morning through the middle of the week. Wind chill readings below 0 degrees Fahrenheit could be experienced north of Interstate 20 late Saturday night, extending southward on Monday and Tuesday mornings. This may necessitate Wind Chill Advisories for parts, if not the entirety, of the area, with the possibility of record low temperatures.

In Abilene, where record values hover around 0 degrees Fahrenheit, record low temperatures are expected to be maintained. However, San Angelo faces the potential of breaking its record low of 15 degrees for Tuesday morning, with the current forecast projecting temperatures around 10 degrees.

Models indicate the presence of weak lift and light precipitation, primarily affecting eastern counties on Sunday night. While little to no accumulation is anticipated from this precipitation, the possibility of slick spots developing on area roadways, particularly on bridges and overpasses, remains a concern.

Temperature-wise, relief is anticipated as temperatures are forecasted to rise back into the 40s and 50s by Wednesday, with some areas experiencing temperatures in the 60s by Thursday. This warming trend marks the conclusion of the frigid spell that is expected to grip the region over the weekend and early next week.