If you're planning to step out in Austin today, be prepared to meet a wall of heat that's more typical of the sun-parched peaks of high summer than the breezy days of mid-May. According to today's weather forecast, the city is bracing for an afternoon high near 104 degrees, with heat indices pushing even higher, reaching a scorching 108 at its peak. The Austin area is currently experiencing one of those stretches where the south wind doesn't seem to bring cooler maritime air, but rather acts as a bellows to the already fiery conditions. Gusts up to 20 mph are doing little more than circulating the hot air.
Those looking for relief tonight will find scant comfort—the mercury is not predicted to drop much below 73 degrees, maintaining the trend of a heat that grips the city in its warm embrace well after the sun has retreated. It seems to be a week that wants to remind us to appreciate our air conditioning, with the rest of the week forecasting highs well above the 100-degree mark. Day after day, as we cross from Thursday to Friday and then hump over into Saturday, the sky remains stubbornly clear or at best, "partly sunny," offering no respite from the relentless heat.
Looking ahead to the weekend, you might find slight chances of isolated showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 1 a.m. on Friday night and after 1 p.m. on Saturday, each carrying a 10 percent chance of precipitation. But don't hang your hopes on a drought-breaking deluge; this potential rain is more tease than torrent. Hot temperatures are expected to continue through Sunday, with a high near 100 and wind gusts potentially reaching 25 mph.
As the new week rolls in, not much will have changed weather-wise for the residents and visitors of Austin. Mostly cloudy skies will dominate, but they'll do little to shield us from the heat as temperatures hover around 99 on Monday, dipping ever so slightly to a high near 94 by Tuesday. There's a 20 percent chance of precipitation, signaling isolated showers and thunderstorms for the early part of next week, which could provide a minor break from the sweltering days we're set to endure. But let's not make any bets; when it comes to weather promises, it's better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.
