The holiday spirits in Austin might be slightly dampened as the city gears up to face a wet and possibly stormy lead-up to Christmas Day. As per the National Weather Service, today will see a 40 percent chance of showers, particularly post-noon, with the potential for patchy fog before 11 a.m. Currently, the daytime temperature is expected to linger near a decent 67 degrees.
Off and on rain showers are forecast today. The best chances will be over Hill Country and the I-35 Corridor. Rain chances increase tonight through Christmas Eve, with northeastern areas having the best chances of seeing rainfall. pic.twitter.com/6U0O3q1mYZ
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) December 21, 2023
Travelling Austinites should brace themselves to possibly navigate through slick roads as the chances of rain are set to increase moderately on Thursday with forecasts suggesting light rain that's unlikely to significantly affect airport schedules. However, with the wet conditions expected to persist and evolve, it might just be wise to start planning a little extra time for any pre-holiday errands or travels, particularly on Friday and Sunday. According to a report by KVUE, a weak low-pressure system is dragging a cold front close to Austin's neighborhood, increasing the likelihood of showers.
As Friday rolls in bearing Christmas cheer, the city is also set to roll in cloud cover with a 50 percent chance of showers. Southeast winds will gently blow at 5 to 10 mph, carrying with them a new chorus of precipitation that may tally up to a quarter of an inch.
Then comes the weekend forecast, which is sure not to make folks merry and bright. Saturday's cloud cover remains stubborn with rain and thunderstorms possibly crashing the party post-3 pm. The conditions intensify into Saturday Night with a 60 percent chance that showers and thunderstorms will hold Austin in their grasp. With expected gusty southeastern winds reaching as high as 25 mph, it would be a good idea to secure any outdoor holiday decorations against the oncoming bluster.
Looking forward, Christmas Day itself is set for a sunny rebound, with an expected high near 62 degrees and brisk northwest winds—offering a much-needed reprieve post-storm. Although partly cloudy skies sneak back in Monday night, the sun is poised to return and stick around through Wednesday, gracing the holiday aftermath with kinder weather and highs in the low 60s.
