Tuesday forecast for Austin: Brrrrrreaking news, folks — we’re in the first freeze of winter but at least we’re also getting plenty of sunshine as we kick off December.
Meteorologists mark the beginning of winter on Dec. 1 rather than on the winter solstice — the astronomical start of the season — because the solstice date wobbles around on the calendar. For them, winter is simply December, January and February.
So, for the meteorological first day of winter, Austin will be visited by freezing or near-freezing overnight temperatures for much of the week. A freeze warning was already in effect for Central Texas counties until 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters warned that frost and freezing conditions could kill crops, other sensitive plants and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Temperatures at Camp Mabry, the site of Austin’s main weather station, were at freezing, or 32 degrees, as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. They had dipped to as low as 30 degrees overnight, but many parts of the Austin area also reported temperatures in the 20s.
The city’s other major weather station at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, got as cold as 22 degrees at 6:14 a.m., setting a new record low for Dec 1, the weather service said Tuesday.
But the outlook for the rest of the day in Austin calls for sunshine with temperatures as high as 62 degrees. Southerly winds of up to 10 mph could kick up with gusts as strong as 20 mph.
More clouds will roll in at night but temperatures will likely retreat into the 40s in the wee hours.
The weather service’s extended forecast calls for more chilly conditions but continued sunshine:
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Otherwise, sunny with a high near 61. Afternoon cold front could bring winds as gusty as 20 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 36.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 54. North-northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly cloudy at night with a low around 34.
Friday: Mostly sunny with a high near 54. Cold north-northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 35.
Saturday: Mostly sunny with a high near 60. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 39.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high near 63. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 40.
Here’s a look at the 6AM temperatures as the coldest air of the season settles in on this first day of meteorological winter. In a word: COLD!
Some folks may need to scrape some frost off their cars this morning, but temperatures will quickly warm into the 50s and 60s today. pic.twitter.com/h5GD3Kuq2r
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) December 1, 2020
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