Snow Predicted In Austin Area Sunday

AUSTIN, TX — The forecast calls for Sunday calls for a wintry mix that not only includes rain and low temperatures but snow, according to forecasters.

According to the National Weather Service, rain is likely during the day on Sunday mainly after 4 a.m. with a low of around 38 degrees. The chance of rainfall is 60 percent, with new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Things could get interesting by mid-morning, according to the forecast. Rain is expected before 10 a.m. and then snow. Temperatures will fall to around 35 degrees by 4 p.m., forecasters predict. The wind will blow from the northeast from 10 mph to 15 mph, with gusts s high as 25 mph.

Rain is something of a foregone conclusion given the 100 percent chance for it to fall on the Austin area landscape. And forecasters say new snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Come nightfall, rain and snow are possible mainly before 7 p.m. with a low of 32 degrees. Wind gusts could reach up to 20 mph with a chance of precipitation at 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than half and inch is possible, weather officials predict.

Sunny skies are expected to return by Monday, with a high near 46 degrees. Wind will be negligible at around 5 mph.

Some parts of Texas will be harder hit by the winter onslaught. As a result, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday directed resources to be place on standby ahead of time. The storm system is threatening to bring snowfall to much of the northern half of the state, with areas of the Panhandle, South Plains, Big Country, and northern Permian Basin forecast to receive between 2 to 8 inches. This system also has the potential to produce significant rainfall along the Coastal Plains Sunday afternoon.

"I urge Texans in the path of this winter storm system to be mindful of changing weather conditions and take precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe," Abbott said in a prepared statement. "Stay off roadways and exercise extreme caution as this weather event makes its way across the state. Texas will continue to work with local officials to ensure they have the resources needed to respond."

At the governor's direction, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has rostered the following state resources to support winter weather preparation and response operations:

• Texas Department of Transportation: Winter weather preparation and response equipment and crews.
• Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol: Courtesy patrols to assist stranded motorists along major travel corridors.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Texas Game Wardens and four wheel drive vehicles to assist with stranded motorists along major travel corridors.

The governor urged residents to visit www.drivetexas.org throughout the weekend to be aware of the latest roadway conditions across the state.