Austin residents experienced a scorcher today with temperatures hitting a high near 94 degrees, and it's expected to get even hotter as the week progresses, according to the National Weather Service. The heat index soared as high as 102, turning the city into a veritable oven courtesy of the southern winds.
Tonight's forecast isn't promising much relief; it will be mostly cloudy with lows around 76, and the gusty South wind persists. As for the rest of the week, Austinites should brace for more of the same, with highs consistently hovering in the mid-90s, peaking at a sweltering 99 degrees on Saturday, the National Weather Service reports.
While many will reach for sunblock and iced drinks, a few might need to keep an eye on the sky for severe weather. According to KXAN, "A slight wiggle eastward in the high pressure system to our south may allow for a very slim storm chance in the Hill Country late this evening into tonight." Forecasters warn that any storms that do materialize could bring with them large hail and damaging winds, though the chances remain slim.
Those seeking reprieve from the heat may not find it until next week when there's a better chance for rain that could finally cool temperatures slightly closer to 90 degrees. But until then, the beat of the sun goes on, with Friday and Sunday looking particularly brutal, where we could well see temperatures breach the 100-degree mark for the first time this year. Despite the fearsome heat, the city will edge towards Memorial Day with just a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms forecasted by the National Weather Service.
