Austin residents are advised to keep their umbrellas at hand and brace for a damp and chilly end to their week. The National Weather Service predicts a weather pattern, with a high near 71 degrees this afternoon and showers, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms, developing after 3 pm. Precipitation chances will ramp up to 60%, and fog is on the agenda before 2 pm, with wind around 5 mph from the east southeast.
As evening sets in, the likelihood of rain and thunderstorms increases before 9 pm, transitioning to showers until midnight, followed by more possible thunderstorms. An astonishing drop to a low around 34 degrees is forecasted, with an east wind of 5 to 10 mph shifting north and possibly gusting up to 20 mph. "Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible," according to the NWS.
Looking towards the weekend, Saturday maintains a 90% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms before 9 am, with temperatures plummeting to about 32 degrees by the afternoon. The North wind comes in strong at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts that may hit 25 mph. Saturday night won't offer any respite as rain turns to freezing rain and possibly sleet, ushering in lows around 21 degrees. The wind persists, maintaining its strength from the north.
On Sunday, the freezing mix may linger before 9 am, followed by a slight possibility of sleet until noon. The clouds are partially clear to partly sunny skies with highs struggling to a mere 31 degrees, under the influence of north-northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph, gusts still as high as 25 mph. "Chance of precipitation is 20%," signals a slight downtrend in storm activity, as per the NWS. Sunday night's skies are expected to clear, leading to lows near 16 degrees.
The beginning of next week introduces a modest warming trend. Monday is slated to be sunny with a high near 32, while Tuesday sees temperatures reaching a more comfortable 45 under mostly sunny skies. Midweek continues the warming trend with highs approaching the upper 40s and nighttime lows in the upper 20s, potentially providing relief from the icy grip of the weekend's wintry weather.
