Central Texans are bracing themselves as the region is set squarely in the sights of an incoming storm, with forecasters warning of large hail and damaging winds come Friday. According to KVUE, significant hail, potentially 2 inches or more in diameter, is anticipated, drawing concerns of property and crop damage.
The Storm Prediction Center has advised that areas around U.S. 281 and west, including the Austin Metro, are under a level 2 of 5 risk for severe weather. Residents are all to quickly get their preparations in place as showers and thunderstorms are expected to start rolling in early Friday morning. CBS Austin notes that while the first round of storms in the morning may not bring severe weather, it could still be "a rowdy bunch" with possible small hail and gusty winds.
Compounding the risk, last year, hail caused extensive damage across the U.S. and was particularly harsh on Texas, leading to approximately $600 million in damages for Travis and Williamson counties from just one storm, as per data cited by KVUE. Nationally, hail annually inflicts roughly $1 billion in damages, a sobering figure as the state awaits this newest threat.
The forecast for the rest of Friday is less certain, with meteorologists monitoring two potential scenarios based on the cold front's movement. CBS Austin reports that "the overall focus on the storm timeframe for Friday afternoon and evening will be around 2 PM - 11 PM," regardless of the scenario. Heavier rainfall is expected to follow, with the Weather Prediction Center flagging a level 2 of 4 flooding risk and total rainfalls of 1-3 inches, which could lead to minor street and creek flooding.
The outlook heading into the weekend suggests that the inclement weather will stick around, with a 60-70% chance of rain predicted for both Saturday and Sunday. While not expected to be severe, the continued precipitation adds to concerns of flash flooding. Citizens are urged to stay weather aware and to download the CBS Austin Weather App for the latest updates and alerts on the storm's progression.
