I think the EWX may be SLOWLY alluding to a pattern shift, as I try to find any subtle blurb in the discussion that deviates from persistence. The thing is, the high pressure creating this localized misery in this part of Texas is not that large, given storms are forming in the nearby Edwards Plateau and forecasted in the Highway 77 corridor.
The ridge has somehow found a niche in Central and south Texas and created a feedback loop (drought begets drought), despite the widespread multi-inch rain that fell last week. It's as if the atmosphere still remembered this particular area of Texas has been in a dry spell.
I'm hoping the heat ridge is in the early stages of weakening, given a lower Sun angle with each passing day. This should help with its eventual demise, given time. I know there is a lag time.
But, here's to Fall right around the corner!
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
312 PM CDT Tue Aug 15 2017
.SHORT TERM (Tonight through Wednesday Night)...
The early morning upper air observations show an upper trough in place
over the western U.S. with the subtropical high centered over south
Florida. A little closer to home, satellite data also shows an axis
of higher moisture in place from southwest Texas into far north
central Texas. Precipitable water values range from 1.7 to near 2.0
inches according to early afternoon data.
The above mentioned axis of higher moisture will move very little
tonight and Wednesday. This will result in a continued chance for
showers and thunderstorms across the southern Edwards Plateau. Hi-res
models show most convection will remain northwest of a Del Rio to
Rocksprings line. Coverage of showers and storms should be rather
low, so we will keep chances in the 20-30% range. We could also see
a few showers and storms develop Wednesday afternoon across the
coastal plains and Highway 77 corridor and will continue to mention
low chances (20%) in the latest forecast. Otherwise, expect another
mild night with increasing cloud cover after midnight and lows in the
70s. Another hot day is in store for Wednesday as highs once again
top out in the mid 90s to near 100. The heat combined with a
continued moist southeasterly flow in the low-levels will result in
elevated heat index values Wednesday afternoon and early evening. As
of now, it appears areas along and east of I-35 will be very close to
needing a Heat Advisory.
&&
.LONG TERM (Thursday through Tuesday)...
The forecast for the remainder of the work week into early next week
will generally be dominated by a slowly expanding subtropical ridge
axis. However, the medium range models do show some inverted
mid/upper troughs moving through the Gulf of Mexico over the next
several days. One trough is currently forecast to move into the
western Gulf by early Thursday, with another scheduled for early
Monday. The second system appears to be stronger, but there is some
disagreement with regards to where this system will move inland.
While these inverted troughs may bring a brief opportunity for
rainfall, suspect chances will remain confined to the coast.
Otherwise, it appears high temperatures will continue to remain
roughly 3-5 degrees above normal, with overnight lows a few degrees
above normal. During this period of above normal temperatures, please
continue to exercise proper heat safety.
The preceding post is NOT an official forecast, and should not be used as such. It is only the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. It is NOT endorsed by any professional institution including storm2k.org. For Official Information please refer to the NHC and NWS products.