Tuesday morning, May 26, Austin wakes up mostly cloudy, very muggy, and already sticky, with temperatures near 68F and dew points in the upper 60s. That swampy feel is only going to build through the day, with highs climbing into the upper 80s to around 90F this afternoon before storms become increasingly likely after sunset. The most significant impacts are expected late Tuesday night into early Wednesday when organized showers and thunderstorms could deliver heavy downpours and localized flooding.
Afternoon Heat, Late-Day Storms
For most of the afternoon, expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 90F and light southeast winds around 0 to 10 mph. Isolated showers or storms may pop up after about 4 p.m., mainly near and west of the Hill Country. The odds of afternoon rain stay low at around 20%, but the humidity will make it feel hotter and pretty uncomfortable. If you have outdoor plans this evening, it is a good idea to keep a backup plan and a rain jacket on standby.
Overnight Threat: Heavy Rain and Flooding
Thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread Tuesday night into early Wednesday, with the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio noting an 80% probability of showers and thunderstorms overnight and new rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible in some neighborhoods. The forecast discussion also highlights a Slight risk for excessive rainfall and a marginal severe threat west of U.S. 281, meaning some storms could produce heavy downpours, large hail, and damaging winds capable of producing flash flooding on saturated or slow-draining streets. If storms train over the same areas, ponding and street flooding are the primary threats, so avoid driving through standing water.
Commute and What To Watch
Roads and low-lying neighborhoods are most at risk during the predawn commute Wednesday, May 27. Any flooding that develops will be localized but can still make residential streets impassable. If you live in a flood-prone area or have early-morning travel plans, consider delaying or rerouting and follow local closures.
For background on the setup and how this differs from the holiday outlook, see our Austin sizzles, then braces.
At the time of publication there are no active watches or warnings for the Austin area. That could change quickly as storms develop, so check official updates before heading out. We will update if watches or warnings are issued and recommend keeping phone alerts on overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
