By Doug Schneider
The weather pattern over Texas late this week could be an unsettled one, with may result in some showers and thunderstorms around COTA for Lone Star Le Mans and the WEC 6 Hours of COTA.
Here's a look at what the weather map might look like on Thursday:
Here's a look at what the weather map might look like on Thursday:
With high pressure over the eastern portions of the country, the clockwise flow around it will result in a southeast flow of moisture off the Gulf of Mexico into Texas. Meanwhile, a low pressure system will track east from the Rockies into the Plains, with a trailing cold front approaching Texas from the northwest. On Thursday, there may be two main areas of rain - one near the Texas Gulf coast, and another in the northern and western parts of the state near the front. There is a chance that some showers develop Thursday afternoon near COTA, so I have a small rain chance in the forecast that day.
On Friday, the pattern continues to look similar, but by this time, the moisture from the Gulf will be higher, the front will be getting closer, and there will be an upper level trough and jet stream getting closer as well. So I have a slightly higher chance of rain at the track on Friday afternoon compared to Thursday.
Here's what we can expect on Saturday:
On Friday, the pattern continues to look similar, but by this time, the moisture from the Gulf will be higher, the front will be getting closer, and there will be an upper level trough and jet stream getting closer as well. So I have a slightly higher chance of rain at the track on Friday afternoon compared to Thursday.
Here's what we can expect on Saturday:
With the front being located just north of COTA, and the southeast feed of moisture continuing, the chance of showers and thunderstorms will continue to rise on Saturday.
There is good model agreement on this general pattern, so I'd be surprised if the forecast changes significantly between now and Thursday. The details of how much rain may fall and the timing of the best chances should come into better focus over the next few days. Temperatures will be close to normal for Austin, with highs around 90, but it will feel quite muggy with a dewpoint temperature in the lower 70s.
Here's the forecast graphic in Celsius and KM/H:
There is good model agreement on this general pattern, so I'd be surprised if the forecast changes significantly between now and Thursday. The details of how much rain may fall and the timing of the best chances should come into better focus over the next few days. Temperatures will be close to normal for Austin, with highs around 90, but it will feel quite muggy with a dewpoint temperature in the lower 70s.
Here's the forecast graphic in Celsius and KM/H:
