After New Record High, 'Cold Front' Arriving In Austin By Week's End

AUSTIN, TX — It hasn't exactly been a winter wonderland in Austin. An exclamation point on that assertion came on Wednesday, when the high temperature shattered records and registered more than 20 degrees higher than what is normal for that date historically.

Here in Central Texas, we've become somewhat accustomed to temperatures in the 80s while snow and freezing temperatures are experienced in other parts of the country. Such temps were kicked off on Sunday, when the high reached a balmy 80 degrees — not what you'd all a white Christmas.

Then on Monday, the high temperature was even higher at 84 degrees.

And on Wednesday, a new record was set. It got up as high as 83 degrees. Historically, the normal high temperature for Dec. 28 is 61 degrees, meaning Wednesday's peak shattered the norm by 22 degrees.

Which isn't to say we haven't seen cold weather here. In the days leading up to Christmas Day, below-freezing temperatures in the 20s were registered throughout Central Texas. This sent many beleaguered residents atwitter, as they are unaccustomed to such lows.

But by Thursday and Friday, residents should expect a cold front to come in. Of course, the term "cold front" is relative, but it will likely bring high temperatures in the lower 60s or upper 50s on both days, according to the National Weather Service.

There's an old saying of unknown provenance that says: "If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes and it will change." Such mercurial weather of late would suggest that the old folksy sentiment is rather accurate.

>>> Photo credit: Joe Mabel via WikiMedia Commons