A muggy, mostly clear start in Austin is not sticking around for long. Temperatures are already in the low 70s with dew points in the upper 60s, and a cold front moving in by midday is set to flip the script with showers and thunderstorms likely, including a few that could turn strong to severe.
What To Expect Today
Highs should peak near 82°F before slipping into the mid 70s once storms move through. Forecasters put the overall Saturday rain chance around 80 percent, with most spots picking up a quarter to a half inch of new rain and a few areas seeing heavier pockets. Some storms could produce large hail and damaging wind, including hail over 2 inches in a few cases, according to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.
Timing And Impacts
The front is expected to push through the I‑35 corridor from late morning into early afternoon. That puts the highest storm risk around noon for Austin and by mid-afternoon for San Antonio. Translation for your schedule: the afternoon commute could feature sudden heavy downpours and gusty winds.
Where storms repeatedly track along the front, localized flash flooding and street ponding are possible. Avoid driving through standing water, and plan on slower travel on I‑35, MoPac, and other low-lying routes during heavier bursts of rain. For a deeper look at how this stormy setup took shape, see our recent breakdown of the pattern.
How To Prepare
If you have outdoor plans, either move them earlier into the morning or bring them inside. Secure patio furniture, trash cans, and anything else that might turn into airborne yard art in strong winds. Keep phone alerts on, keep an eye on radar, and be ready to move to a sturdy shelter if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. Expect short-term delays at Austin‑Bergstrom and on I‑35, MoPac, and other low spots during the heaviest downpours.
Weekend Outlook
Showers and storms remain likely into Sunday and through much of next week. A brief cool down arrives Sunday, then highs rebound into the upper 70s and low 80s by Monday. The biggest threat for multi-inch totals still looks to stay south and east of Austin, closer to the coastal prairies and areas south of San Antonio, although most of the I‑35 corridor should see at least scattered measurable rain this weekend. Keep checking updated forecasts and local alerts, since this kind of setup can shift as the week goes on.
