Unseasonable Heat Grips West Central Texas, No Relief in Sight

SAN ANGELO – West Central Texas will experience a prolonged period of unseasonable warmth, with dry conditions persisting this week and no rain in the forecast. A lee trough is contributing to the continuation of this warming trend, bringing southwest to west winds at speeds ranging from 5 to 15 mph.

According to the latest forecast issued for the region, high temperatures today are expected to reach the lower to mid 70s, with the Concho Valley experiencing the warmest conditions. Overnight, temperatures will remain relatively mild, mainly in the lower 40s.

Looking ahead into the long term forecast from Tuesday through Sunday, the region is set to experience dry and unusually warm conditions. An upper-level ridge is projected to shift eastward into the area, accompanied by a strong thermal ridge. Gusty southwest winds will further elevate temperatures, allowing them to soar well into the 80s. Forecasters have adjusted temperature predictions upward, with Abilene possibly nearing its record high of 86 degrees set in 1976.

Later in the week, the upper ridge is expected to shift eastward, with a weak cold front moving across the area. While temperatures will drop back closer to normal readings, they are still likely to remain a couple of degrees above average, with highs in the 70s. As the weekend approaches, another ridge builds in, propelling temperatures back into the low to mid 80s.

Despite these fluctuations, one constant remains: there is no precipitation in sight, exacerbating concerns about prolonged dry conditions and heightened fire risk across the region.