Arctic Blast Hits Austin Again, More Sleet Expected

Freezing temperatures have returned to Austin for the fourth time this year even as it seemed that the cold air might be finally over as we begin March. Temperatures reached as low as 23 degrees in Austin this morning and the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Austin area. Here’s more from the NWS warning:

…WINTRY WEATHER EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH NOON TUESDAY…

.A COMBINATION OF A SHALLOW ARCTIC AIRMASS…MOIST GULF FLOW AT
LOWER LEVELS…AND A SHORTWAVE TROUGH ALOFT WILL BRING A CHANCE OF
FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET TO SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS TONIGHT THROUGH
TUESDAY MORNING. COMPOUNDING THE SITUATION WILL BE THE POTENTIAL
FOR ELEVATED CONVECTION…WHICH COULD PRODUCE THUNDERSLEET AND
THUNDER WITH THE FREEZING RAIN. ANY THUNDERSTORMS COULD ENHANCE
PRECIPITATION. ICE ACCUMULATION COULD BE 1/10 INCH OR MAYBE A LITTLE
MORE IN THE WARNING AREA…WITH LITTLE ACCUMULATION IN THE
ADVISORY AREA…MAINLY LIMITED TO BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. THE
PRECIPITATION SHOULD TAPER OFF BY NOON TUESDAY AND TEMPERATURES
WILL WARM ABOVE FREEZING.