CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Well today is the transition day where we’ll see way above normal temperatures this afternoon before they start tumbling down below normal as a strong cold front pushes into the area late tonight and early Christmas Eve morning.
Yesterday we manage to reach the upper 70s for many locations; this afternoon we’ll get compressional heating occurring out ahead of the approaching cold front and we’ll see temperatures push the low 80s for many communities. Here in Corpus Christi we’ll look for an afternoon high of 82 with a generally south-southwest wind around 6-12 MPH. We’ll have a good amount of cloud coverage today and we could see a few stray coastal showers, but nothing to overly excited about unfortunately. A few hundredths of an inch of rain is what’ll be the average for those who see the spotty showers.
Tonight, around 10-midnight, is when everything begins to change. You’ll notice when the front has pushed through your area as the winds will turn to the north and begin to gust around 30-40MPH. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some locations push 45-50MPH at times. The frontal boundary will be accompanied by a shower or two, favoring coastal areas again, and then everything will quickly begin to move out. Temperatures will take a dive into the low 40s by Thursday morning as much cooler and drier air filters into the area.
Boaters and mariners, the marine forecast will be good for most of the day, but once the front pushes in it will be time to set the anchor down and stay in place. Gale Warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service from midnight until Noon Thursday. Seas up to 11 feet will be possible and winds of up to 40 knots will be likely.
Christmas Eve looks great with a chilly start in the 40s and by the afternoon we’ll have lots of sunshine with highs only around 60. Winds will start on the windy side, then begin to lighten up slowly throughout the day. For the most part it’ll stay breezy around 10-20MPH.
Christmas Day there will be many locations that will see a light freeze. It is now looking like the city of Corpus Christi will be included with temperatures forecast to drop around 31. So a cold Christmas start and then mainly sunny skies in the afternoon with a high of 66.
By the weekend, milder temperatures return off a southeasterly wind with highs back in the 70s with a few more clouds. This pattern will hold until the middle of next week.
Have a great day!