Fog and mist are slicing through Austin this morning, with temperatures holding near 60°F and visibility trimmed to about 3 miles. It is a slow, soggy start to the Friday commute, and a Flood Watch hangs over the region through this evening as repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms line up over the metro.
Heavy Rain And Flood Threat
The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio says the Flood Watch runs through 9:00 PM CDT, with new rainfall of 2 to 3 inches possible today. When you add that to Thursday night’s rain, totals of 2 to 4 inches are on the table, with isolated pockets near 6 inches. Forecasters flag the greatest flooding risk from the Hill Country east toward the Coastal Plains, where rapid runoff could quickly flood low-lying streets and send creeks over their banks.
Roads And Safety
Plan on ponding along surface streets, and expect some low-water crossings to become impassable. Do not try to drive through standing water, no matter how harmless it looks from behind the windshield. Check road closures and low-water crossing maps at ATXFloods, sign up for WarnCentralTexas alerts, and give yourself extra travel time if you have to be out.
Timing, Gusts And Weekend Outlook
Showers and thunderstorms are likely through the day and into the early evening, with some storms capable of brief heavy downpours and gusts around 30 to 35 mph, then activity should taper off overnight. Dry, sunnier weather makes a return Saturday, with highs near 73°F and a warming trend building into next week, including a return to the 80s and a hot Tuesday that could reach about 90°F.
If you live or work in a flood-prone neighborhood, move vehicles off low spots and avoid walking or driving through moving water. We will update this post as watches or warnings change, so monitor local alerts and follow any instructions from public safety officials.
