Sunday morning, May 17, is rolling in on the steamy side for Austin, with cloudy, muggy skies, temperatures hovering around 76°F, and dewpoints in the low 70s. Humidity is already working overtime, and once the sun breaks through, the city should climb into the low 90s by midafternoon. A south-southeast breeze will keep the air feeling thick through the day.
Afternoon Winds And Tonight's Storm Chance
Highs today are expected to top out near 91°F in Austin, with some hotter spots to the southwest pushing into the mid 90s. South-southeast winds will run about 5–15 mph, and gusts could spike up to 30 mph, especially along the I-35 corridor and on exposed bridges. A slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms is on the table for Sunday evening, May 17, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. CDT. Coverage looks limited, and any storm cells that do pop up are expected to bring brief, localized downpours under a tenth of an inch. According to the National Weather Service, this is the warmup act for a wetter, more active pattern early next week that could feature heavier rounds of rain and localized flooding.
A Wetter Week Ahead
The muggy setup is expected to strengthen on Monday, May 18, with highs near 93°F and heat-index values topping 100°F for many neighborhoods and rising above 105°F in the warmest inland spots. Multiple disturbances moving over a moist airmass are likely to boost rain chances from Tuesday into Wednesday. Slow-moving storms could drop heavier totals in pockets, so rainfall could be uneven but locally significant. For background on how this pattern has been evolving, see how Austin starts cool then sizzles.
Plan Ahead
Plan outdoor time for the cooler hours and carry water, since the humidity will make afternoon chores feel tougher than the thermometer alone suggests. Gusty southerly wind can make bridges and trips in high-profile vehicles more challenging, and even brief evening storms may temporarily slow traffic. Check the forecast again before you head out and keep an eye on local alerts in case heavier rain develops next week.
