Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Austin woke up to clear skies and a chilly 42F just before sunrise, but the warmup is already underway. Sunny, dry weather is set to shove the afternoon high to about 76F, with south winds running 0 to 15 mph and gusts reaching up to 30 mph later today. Temperatures stay on the mild side overnight, with a low near 55F, and a much hotter Wednesday is on deck. With dry fuels around and those gusty winds in the mix, residents should secure outdoor furniture and skip any open burning.
Fire Weather Outlook
The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio is flagging a growing fire concern, warning that "Near critical fire weather conditions over Val Verde County today; Elevated fire weather conditions could develop over much of South Central Texas today," with highs near 76F on Tuesday and near 87F on Wednesday and gusts to 30 mph this afternoon. Those gusty, dry south-southwest winds will help fires spread more quickly than usual and could challenge firefighters in rural areas. Stay tuned for updates from the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Winds are expected to ramp up by late morning and stay gusty through sunset, which could make cycling and driving high-profile vehicles a little tricky and might send any unsecured patio gear tumbling across the yard. Travis County currently has an outdoor burn ban in effect for unincorporated areas, so residents should avoid backyard burns and use extra care with grills and power tools. For detailed rules and updates, check with the Travis County Fire Marshal.
Week Ahead
The dry, above-normal stretch is expected to hold into Thursday and Friday, with forecast highs climbing into the mid-80s on Wednesday and Thursday and little chance of measurable rain through the weekend. The next realistic shot at precipitation looks to be several days away, so plan outdoor projects accordingly and keep water sources handy when working with tools or doing yardwork. Keep an eye on official forecasts and local emergency pages in case conditions change.
