After a week marked by unsettled weather, Austin looks like it's about to head into a classic summer pattern. According to KXAN, today, the last of the scattered storms could be seen, primarily before 4 p.m., with temperatures topping out in the high 80s to low 90s. This offers a cooldown considered one of the mildest days of the month. The brief respite is expected to give way to drier conditions and climbing mercury levels, with forecasts from the National Weather Service projecting highs edging into the mid to upper 90s from Thursday onwards.
Heading into the weekend, Austin should brace for a blast of heat, with the temperatures anticipated to hover around the 96-degree mark on Saturday and persisting through Sunday. While Father's Day is expected to remain dry with abundant sunshine, there's a return to a slight chance of rain by next Tuesday, with a 20 percent possibility of showers and thunderstorms forecasted by the National Weather Service.
Long-term models suggest that rain chances could grow early next week as moisture flows from the Gulf of Mexico. Although these conditions usually favor areas east of I-35, they might also extend into Central Texas. "Generally these favor areas east of I-35 and right now rain chances remain low," echoes KXAN in a statement that nods towards a slightly wetter outlook for the region. The Climate Prediction Center's support bolsters this prospect, indicating Central Texas could see a shift from the dry spell.
Reflecting on the spring severe weather season, Texas has experienced an extremely active year. STATS from KXAN showcase that the Lone Star State has tallied 118 tornadoes so far against an average of 86 by May. This year's severe weather has not only been more frequent but also more destructive, accounting for eight tornado-related fatalities, doubling the average annual death toll. In terms of severe hail, Texas has also reported a staggering 799 incidents of severe hail through May, with one record-breaking hailstone in Vigo Park exceeding 7 inches in diameter, which is currently under confirmation by the National Weather Service.
As the summer progresses, severe weather occurrences are expected to decrease in frequency. However, residents should stay alert as the hurricane season, projected to be active, begins to approach in August.
