Austin residents can expect a shift from searing heat to stormy weather as the week progresses. The National Weather Service forecasts that today's blistering high of 101 degrees will be the zenith of the heat wave, with a steady drop in temperatures and a rising chance of showers and thunderstorms in the coming days. Light winds from the southeast around 5 mph are also on the docket for today.
The forecast for Central Texas shows a 30 percent possibility of showers and thunderstorms starting Saturday afternoon, with an expected high of 98 degrees. Residents are advised to remain prepared as the weather shifts. Contrarily, there is a need to significantly remind everyone that the intense heat today can take a toll on the body, with heat index values projected to reach up to 107 degrees.
The onslaught of rain is partially due to the influence of Hurricane Beryl, which asserts its presence in the Gulf. According to KXAN's weather report, Beryl's second landfall occurred this morning with sustained winds of 50 mph. Though it is still 730 miles ESE of Brownsville and moving WNW at 15 mph, Beryl's trajectory includes Austin in its 'Cone of Uncertainty.'
As Beryl continues its path, the storm's aftermath will likely blanket the region in the coming week. Rainfall projections are gradually increasing, with the National Weather Service suggesting that areas of Central and South-Central Texas might see anywhere from 2 to 7 inches of rain over the next week. The potential for occasional showers and thunderstorms, both this evening and into next week, should give residents more than enough cause to readily start fetching their umbrellas and raincoats.
