Central Texas is in for a two-part weather show: steamy heat through Friday, then a stormy shake-up as a cold front rolls across Austin on Saturday, April 18.
Afternoon Heat Through Friday
Thursday, April 16, started out warm and sticky, with morning temperatures in the upper 60s and plenty of humidity hanging over the city. Highs are expected to climb into the upper 80s, near 89°F on Thursday and around 90°F on Friday along the I-35 corridor, with slightly hotter readings south and west of town.
Persistent south winds around 5–15 mph will keep moisture streaming in, so it will feel muggy both days. Overnight lows are forecast to stay in the mid to upper 60s, which means little relief once the sun goes down. According to the National Weather Service, dew points in the upper 60s will keep conditions feeling noticeably sticky.
Cold Front And Storms Saturday
A cold front arriving Saturday morning will flip the script. Shower and thunderstorm chances ramp up on Saturday, April 18, with much of the region seeing roughly a 50% chance of measurable rain. Scattered storms could produce pockets of heavy rainfall and gusty winds, and the forecast discussion notes a marginal risk for excessive rainfall across parts of the area.
If you are banking on outdoor plans Saturday, it is smart to have an indoor backup or be ready to push activities to Sunday. Behind the front, cooler air settles in, with highs dropping into the 60s on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind And Travel
Southerly winds will pick up on Friday, with gusts up to about 25 mph, then swing around to the north and northeast behind the front Friday night into Saturday night. Stronger gusts near 30 mph are possible as the cooler air pours in.
Those gusts can turn folding canopies or unsecured patio furniture into projectiles and may briefly slow high-profile vehicles on area highways. Drivers should allow extra travel time and keep an eye on low-lying streets, which can see quick ponding during heavier downpours.
Plan Ahead
For event planners and commuters, the safest bet is to treat Saturday as weather-dependent and line up an indoor option. Check for late-breaking updates before heading out, since local transit or city alerts may post service changes if storms affect roads.
Hoodline published a related update on April 9 that digs into how this pattern set up: sticky start, stormy finish. For the most current official forecast and any watches or warnings, keep an eye on the National Weather Service.
