Catch the latest in weather across the Southern Plains with meteorologist Amy Freeze. Highlights include calm conditions with a hint of storms on the horizon and tips for staying sun-safe!

Amy Freeze, your trusted meteorologist, brings you the latest weather updates for the Southern Plains. Tonight, Austin enjoys partly cloudy skies with a gentle breeze. However, keep an umbrella at hand as the weather takes a dynamic turn with potential thunderstorms and rain showers. The week ahead looks quite varied with highs touching the upper 80s and potential severe weather alerts. Stay prepared and informed with Amy’s detailed 7-day forecast and insights.
The Southern Plains are experiencing mostly calm conditions with a few weather highlights captured on the regional radar.. In the Oklahoma panhandle, light rain showers are moving through, offering a touch of moisture. Meanwhile, the lower Mississippi Delta is starting to develop rain as a storm system begins to take shape, leading to possible precipitation in areas like Jackson soon. Currently, light snow is making its appearance in the higher elevations along the southern Colorado border, coupled with strong gusty winds that could reach up to 75 miles per hour through mountain passes
Austin’s evening forecast features temperatures starting at 77 degrees at 8 PM, cooling to 69 by midnight. Expect mostly clear skies transitioning to partly cloudy conditions. Winds will be from the south-southeast at 13 miles per hour early in the evening, shifting to a gentle south wind of 11 miles per hour by midnight.
Across the Southern Plains a noticeable chill is on the way as temperatures take a dip. Oklahoma City anticipates a low of 42 degrees, while Tulsa will be slightly cooler at 39. In Texas, Dallas is forecasted to reach 52 degrees tonight, whereas Midland will drop to 47. Farther south, San Antonio is set to stay warmer at 65 degrees. Over in New Mexico, Albuquerque is expected to cool down to 42 degrees.
High temperatures for the Southern Plains are set to be quite warm as we head into tomorrow. In El Paso, the afternoon high will reach 82 degrees, while Midland warms up to a steamy 79. San Antonio can expect a high of 87 degrees, showcasing the warmer trend in that area. Dallas will see a bit of a cooler day with a high at 76 degrees. Further east, in New Orleans, temperatures are expected to hit 79 degrees, and over in Jackson, Mississippi, expect a warm 80 degrees. Overall, these highs trend above average for this time of year, influenced by a high-pressure system delivering plenty of sunshine and warmth across the region.
On the futurecast for the Southern Plains, anticipate a mix of weather conditions over the next 24 to 48 hours. Dallas to Corpus Christi can hope for a chance of periodic rain showers, aiding in alleviating dry conditions. Oklahoma City may experience stronger thunderstorms due to an unstable air mass and an advancing cold front. Stay vigilant for severe weather alerts across the region. This dynamic weather pattern will impact the southeast into Saturday night. Keep an eye on storm developments and be prepared for potentially severe weather through Sunday.
The UV index in Austin will reach a high of 8 on Saturday, indicating a burn time of about 17 minutes in direct sunlight. Make sure to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing! On Sunday, the index drops to 5, extending the burn time to 27 minutes. Stay sun-safe during your outdoor activities!
For the 7-day outlook in Austin: Saturday: Expect mostly cloudy conditions with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 66. Sunday: It turns cloudy, with highs around 85 degrees and lows dropping to 62. Monday: Skies will clear slightly to partly cloudy, peaking at 88 degrees; the low hits 63. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with temperatures hitting 91 degrees, cooling to 66 overnight. Wednesday: Showers are likely later in the day, with a high of 85 degrees and an overnight low of 65. Thursday: Prepare for rain throughout the day, with temps reaching 72 degrees and a low of 63. Friday: Thunderstorms may arise but remain isolated, bringing a high of 77 degrees and a low of 66.