Austin is waking up warm, gray, and sticky this Wednesday, with temperatures parked near 70°F before sunrise. Low clouds and patchy fog are expected to thin out by midday, opening the door to a decidedly toasty afternoon in the upper 80s, topping out near 89°F.
Warm Stretch Through Friday
High pressure parked over northern Mexico is keeping a dry southerly flow locked in across Central Texas, which means the warm pattern sticks around. Daytime highs are slated to run in the upper 80s and near 90°F through Friday.
According to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio, highs should hover around 89 to 90°F from Wednesday through Friday, with a slight cooldown arriving Saturday after a cold front slips south out of the Panhandle late Friday.
Forecasters also note localized elevated fire-weather potential across parts of southern and western Texas, particularly for those venturing away from the city, based on the NWS fire weather page.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southerly winds will generally run about 5 to 10 mph, but afternoons bring more punch, with gusts up to 20 to 25 mph, strongest on Thursday. That is enough to nudge around unsecured patio furniture and kick up choppy conditions on area lakes.
When the cold front arrives late Friday, winds will swing around to the northeast and turn cooler and gustier into Saturday morning.
Plan Ahead
There are no active watches or warnings for the Austin area at the moment. Still, if your plans take you toward the Rio Grande plains or out near Del Rio, avoid open burning and secure loose outdoor items that could turn into projectiles on a gusty afternoon.
For outdoor events around town, plan for hot, breezy conditions. Bring water, keep an eye on those afternoon gusts, and check the latest short-term forecasts before you head out.
