Today, as you step out into the burgeoning warmth of an Austin afternoon, you won't need that light jacket you've been carting around since early spring. The National Weather Service reports a mostly sunny sky with temperatures climbing to a comfortable 87 degrees. The South wind that keeps pushing at a steady 10 mph reminds us that we're really in the throes of Texas's characteristic weather patterns.
Tonight, the skies will hold onto their mostly cloudy stance, a condition that's becoming all too familiar for night owls and stargazers. As the clouds gather, temperatures are expected to drop to about 64 degrees, and gusts could reach 25 mph, betraying the daytime calm. For those planning an evening out, consider it might get windier than anticipated.
Looking ahead to Thursday, it appears that the sun will play a bit of a peek-a-boo with us, resulting in a partly sunny forecast and highs soaring near 91 degrees. "South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph" is the word directly from the National Weather Service, so it may be wise to anchor down any loose items you're taking along for your outdoor excursions.
As for Thursday night, the trend of mostly cloudy skies continues, which seems to be a pattern stubbornly clinging to our city, just as our southeast wind, which is not loosening its grip, ranges 10 to 15 mph, with gusts possibly reaching the 30 mph mark. If sleep often eludes you with every gust, prepare for a potentially restless night.
By the time Friday rolls around, don't expect much of a shift. Mostly cloudy skies preside once again, and while that may sound dreary, the mercury will be hitting a high near 92 degrees. The wind, unfazed by the monotony, will hustle at 10 to 15 mph with those oh-so-typical South Texas gusts up to 30 mph. Anyone with outdoor plans should be ready for a breezy experience.
Intermittent showers are on the horizon for Saturday, with cloudy conditions serving as the backdrop for a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms in the post-noon hours. "Cloudy, with a high near 87," the National Weather Service predicts.
As the weekend winds down, Sunday presents a mixed bag with a 50 percent chance of showers and storms before clearing up in the afternoon, and temperatures hovering around 82 degrees. With the wind shifting from Southwest to North, gusts might still shake things up, reaching 20 mph.
So as the week rolls on, Austin is painted in broad strokes of clouds and sun, with the wind as its volatile companion—a reminder of the transient nature of comfort in the Texan climate. Keep your umbrellas close, but don't pack away those sunglasses just yet.
