Posted: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:18 AM - 15,324 Readers

By: Claudia Grisales

Visions of rain in Central Texas this week could turn out to be a dream after all.

The National Weather Service has downgraded shower chances Thursday and into the weekend to 20 percent.

Previously, forecast models showed the stubborn high pressure system that has a chokehold on the area breaking down, allowing a front to move rain into the area. But models are showing otherwise now.

That’s put previous forecasts of a 40 percent chance for rain Thursday and 30 to 20 percent chance this weekend on hold for now.

“It’s not looking as good as it was yesterday,” said service meteorologist Chris Morris. “We could still be flirting with triple-digits Thursday” and as we head into the end of the week.

Still, Morris expects temperatures to start falling below the 100-mark starting this weekend with more cloud cover and moisture expected to move in.

The high today is slated to reach 105, which would mark a record 75th triple-digit day of the year. That’s well ahead of the previous 1925 record of 69 triple-digit days.

Yesterday’s high of 109 at Camp Mabry broke a 1924 record of 103 degrees. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s high of 106 broke a 1999 record of 102.

A heat advisory has also been extended into tonight, advising residents to exercise caution to prolonged heat exposure. Utilities are also urging conservation especially during peak demand, late afternoon hours.