MRT: Appeals Court Halts $100k/Day Fine; Cold Front Coming; AI, Data Centers Fuel ERCOT Demand; Cuban, Abbott, Mahomes on TIME 100
MRT: Appeals Court Halts $100k/Day Fine; Cold Front Coming; AI, Data Centers Fuel ERCOT Demand; Cuban, Abbott, Mahomes on TIME 100
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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THURSDAY – 04/18/24
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TOP NEWS
“Texas wind, hail risk: Cold front brings severe storms risk,” Houston Chronicle's Justin Ballard -- “Another springtime cold front is poised to bring the risk of severe storms to the Lone Star State Thursday. Where will Thursday’s risk for wind and hail be? Will storms make it into Houston?
Cold fronts this time of year can come into the state, but they can’t quite always make it through the entire state. One such cold front aapproaching on Thursday will pump the brakes as it moves through Hill Country west of Interstate 35.
The recipe for strong thunderstorms includes warm temperatures (in the 80s in most of Texas), moisture (in air pushing in from the Gulf of Mexico), and a lifting feature that promotes rising air (cue the cold front). Those ingredients are expected to align from the Rio Grande toward San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
High-resolution weather models, used most commonly to forecast convective development, suggests storm activity across Texas could form first during the late afternoon, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This coincides with peak daytime heating occurring from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to San Antonio, where temperatures will get into the upper 80s to lower 90s, providing the heat energy that storms need in order to grow rapidly.
Storms likely will initiate around the time of the evening commute in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before they push toward Austin and San Antonio in the early evening. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center expects a few more strong storms along and west of I-35 through Thursday before storms lose steam at night.
Warm and cloudy in Houston
While our neighbors to the north and west deal with the chance for strong storms Thursday, most of the Houston area will remain free of rainfall. An isolated shower is possible near and north of Huntsville or west of the Colorado River, but this shouldn’t affect Houston.
Morning temperatures start in the lower 70s before climbing into the upper 80s, but heat index values, or "feels like" temperatures that factor in humidity, are likely to reach 90 to 93 degrees. Mostly cloudy skies early in the day will make way for a bit more sunshine by the afternoon, so it’s possible for Houston temperatures to hit 90 degrees for the first time this year.
Storms arrive late Saturday
The same cold front that brings parts of Texas the risk of severe storms on Thursday will finally approach Southeast Texas over the weekend.
Much of Saturday is going to feature dry time, but storms are expected to grow later in the day as the front approaches. Widespread showers and even thunderstorms are possible overnight Saturday into early Sunday. Severe weather isn’t expected at this time, but you should monitor forecasts and updates this week.
Sunday may start with a scattering of rain, but it should come to an end by the afternoon as drier and cooler air filters in.
Highs drop from the middle and upper 80s this week to the mid-70s by Sunday afternoon. By early Monday, many of us will head out for school or work with temperatures in the 50s. The seasonably cool weather is brief, as highs get back into the 80s by Tuesday." Houston Chronicle
HOU CHRON: “AI, data centers in Texas are fueling surge in ERCOT demand” Houston Chronicle
DMN: “Three Texans on Time 100 Most Influential People List” DMN
SAEN: “Appeals court blocks $100k/day fine against Texas in foster care case” SAEN
HOU CHRON: “Texas drops Medicaid coverage at twice national rate” Houston Chronicle
HOU CHRON: “Texas hunting regulations modified ahead of new season” Houston Chronicle
AUSTIN MONITOR: “Budget deficit looms over city this year and beyond” Austin Monitor
TX TRIB: “Texas Republicans rue Democrats for dismissing Mayoraks impeachment without trial” Texas Tribune
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: Rangers at Tigers AP
> MLB: Braves 5, Astros 4 Crawfish Boxes
> NHL: Stars 2, Blues 1 (OT) AP
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 12:10pm: MLB: Rangers at Tigers (MLBN)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: “Clippers preparing to have Kawhi Leonard for Game 1 against Mavericks" AP
DALLAS STARS: “Stars cap off one of franchise's best seasons with shootout win, Western Conference title" DMN
HOUSTON ASTROS: “5 big factors in a 6-14 start" Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON ASTROS: “Justin Verlander to make season debut Friday as Astros ace returns from injury to struggling rotation" CBS Sports
HOUSTON TEXANS: “How depth chart shapes up before NFL draft 6-14 start" Houston Chronicle
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: “Spurs confirm talks for downtown 'project' at possible arena site" SAEN
TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL: “Texas A&M football: Mike Elko ready for first spring game" Houston Chronicle