Amarillo’s weather pattern is only slightly effected by the North Atlantic Oscillation. Generally speaking the more negative the NAO the easier it is for cold air to seep southward east of the Mississippi river.
But it also tends to open the door for colder air across the high plains as well.
And the NAO is looking quite negative right now.
Day 1 – Day 10
That will be coupled with a shift from a benign weather pattern to active one this week. The shift, with the negative NAO, means a few chances for some precipitation – though not much – and the chance it could fall as snow.
For today, no precip in the forecast. Mostly sunny skies will prevail with winds shifting from NW this morning around to the SE by later this evening. Temperatures will be seasonal, but might feel a bit cool. Highs will range from the upper 50s to the upper 60s.
Same goes tomorrow with an increase in the cloud cover. Highs in the 50s and 60s – perhaps slightly cooler. Cooler still on Wednesday with highs in the 50s and only a few 60s.
Thursday Afternoon
By Thursday afternoon, the possibility of a few thunderstorms creeps into the forecast. The first of two fronts will push through the high plains. Most of the action will be east of Amarillo, but a thunderstorm or the city can’t be ruled out. Right now the severe weather threat will be minimal, but not zero. The main threats will be high wind and hail.
Temperatures will be back into the 60s and 70s, Thursday, before the front rolls through switching winds back to the north. Speaking of winds, gusts to 40mph from the west will be possible as the front moves through.
By Friday morning, if any moisture is left over, it would fall as a rain/snow mix in some of our northern counties. As the skies clear, temperatures will be stuck in the 40s and 50s as winds from the north usher in cooler air.
Saturday Afternoon
And speaking of “cooler” air… Buckle up, folks. By Saturday, as it looks right now, some modified arctic air looks to spill across the high plains. Latest computer weather models suggest highs in the 30s and 40s both Saturday and Sunday with a chance for rain turning to snow showers.
No accumulating snow is expected at this time. Just enough falling from the sky to remind you that the groundhog got it wrong.
And computer weather models suggest winds from the north at 20 to 40mph with gusts to 50mph possible. So even if snow doesn’t fall, it will be a raw, cold and windy day.
Our medium-range computer weather models suggest right now that temperatures will be stuck in the 40s and 50s through next weekend, March 30th and 31st.
