A TASTE OF SUMMER...
Updated at 5:00 pm May 8, 2008
by Storm Team Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane

A nice start to the day where temperatures dropped into the lower 50s, has quickly warmed up into the upper 80s and I am afraid to say this, but, the temperatures will be soaring by Saturday before we quickly cool down in time for Mother's Day.

Hot, desert air has been building in Northern Mexico over the past few days and is now starting to show signs of rolling into The Big Country.  However, it may roll in here just a bit slower than previously thought. A weak front will pass through here on Friday, but temperatures will still stay above average with highs in the upper 80s and even warmer for Saturday with readings in the mid 90s.  The current forecast is for a high of 95 degrees in Abilene.  If this happens, then this would be the warmest day so far this year and the warmest since the middle of August. Look for a cold front to pass early Sunday which will drop highs into the upper 70s. With dry desert air ahead of the front, we will likely not see much in the form of rain, but could squeeze out a few layers of clouds.

Next week looks dry and seasonal. Chances of rain do not look good.

SUMMER OUTLOOK
Updated at 5:30pm on Thursday May 8 , 2008
by Storm Team Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane

        In the 6-10 day outlook, watching a few cold fronts dropping into the southern plains.  And, while this isn't out of the ordinary, it will bring in some cooler than normal temperatures with rain chances still below average.

In the 8-14 day outlook, a more progressive storm track with more cold fronts possible, but moisture may be lacking during the wettest time of the year which means we may see some below normal rainfall chances.

We really dodged a bullet this past winter as we have been tracking La Nina since late last year.  We knew that this winter was going to be a dry one,  but  as we mentioned before, La Nina tends to become a little less active during the spring season. The region of cooler than normal ocean temperatures is showing signs of weakening, which means that temperatures and rain chances for the summer season may trend closer to normal.  Because of this, the summer outlook will see normal rain chances and normal temperatures. Farewell La Nina...for now.

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