Clear skies, about 49°F on the thermometer, and a steady northerly breeze greeted Austin this morning, setting the stage for a sunny, breezy Wednesday. The high should land near 65°F this afternoon, with gusts up to about 25 mph, and while no measurable rain is in the cards, the wind will make it feel cooler than the numbers suggest.
Today and Tonight
North winds are the headline today. Expect speeds around 5 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching roughly 25 mph through midday and into the afternoon, especially on exposed stretches of bridges and open roads. Highs across the metro should top out around 65°F under mostly sunny skies. Tonight, the winds back off and temperatures dip into the upper 30s, about 39°F for many spots.
According to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio, there are no active watches or warnings in effect. A brief cool spell Thursday morning could still push parts of the Hill Country down into the lower 30s, so early risers there will want the extra layer.
Weekend Warm-Up
Late in the week a broad ridge builds in and temperatures climb fast. Forecasters expect highs to jump into the mid to upper 70s by Friday and reach near 80°F on Saturday in many areas, a quick turnaround from the cold that hit earlier this month.
Looking ahead to Monday, forecast models are split on a small chance of showers returning. Any light rain that does develop would be most likely over the Rio Grande and parts of the southern Hill Country.
What To Watch
Gusty north winds today could make driving or cycling more of a challenge on exposed roadways and bridges. Unsecured patio furniture and lightweight outdoor items may rattle or shift in the stronger gusts.
If you have outdoor plans through Thursday morning, plan on a cool start to the day, then a steady warmup that leads into much milder afternoons as the weekend approaches.
Local Context
We recently covered last week’s freeze and how the city set up shelters and navigated recovery. For that background, see our earlier story on sheltering and recovery, From Freeze To Flip-Flops.
For the most current watches, warnings, and detailed hour-by-hour forecasts, check the National Weather Service page linked above.
