CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — The essence of fall is change, and around the Coastal Bend it comes gradually and usually too late for comfort. Today, a taste of fall arrived with a predawn cold front followed by cool, dry northerly breezes. No rain fell, however, and that is a continuing challenge for our watershed. With combined lake levels at around 21%, we stand at threshold of Stage 3 water restrictions. There is hope, however, of measurable rainfall early next week, as Gulf moisture returns to the region on a vigorous southeasterly breeze to fuel a Monday cold front. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms late Sunday through Monday will leave up to a half inch of rainfall, but mostly along the coast and not in the watershed. Much cooler and quite dry conditions will persist through late week, with temperatures falling below normal.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Sara was named this afternoon in the northwest Caribbean. Its expected path will carry it across the Yucatan into the southwest Gulf of Mexico, but the strong front affect us next week with push the tropical system well away from the Coastal Bend. Still, rip currents and coastal flooding may be an issue.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Fair skies will cool nights will persist through the end of the work week
- Increasing humidity from strong southeasterly winds will prevail this weekend
- Rain chances will return from late Sunday through Monday
- A strong cold front will send temperatures to near or below normal Tuesday through Thursday
CORPUS CHRISTI FORECAST
Tonight:
Clear and cool
Temperature:
Low in the middle 50s
Winds:
Light northeast
Tomorrow:
Sunny and dry
Temperature:
High near 80
Winds:
East 5 to 10 mph
Saturday):
Mostly sunny, breezy and warmer
Temperature:
High in the middle 80s
Winds:
Southeast 11 to 22 mph
A Coastal Flood Advisory will remain in effect through midnight tomorrow night, and more hazardous marine conditions are expected next week.