By early Tuesday morning, Austin was already sweating. As of 5:30 a.m. CDT on July 21, 2026, it was partly cloudy, sticky, and sitting near 75°F, with a dew point around 73°F. Winds were barely noticeable, and forecasters say the quiet start is just the warmup before temperatures rocket into the triple digits this afternoon.
Afternoons Near 100°F
Skies should stay sunny Tuesday, with the high topping out near 100°F and heat-index values making it feel as hot as 107°F. Light south winds will offer more moral support than actual cooling.
Wednesday cranks things up another notch, with highs near 103°F and heat-index readings that could push to 113°F. Forecasters add that parts of the region may meet Heat Advisory criteria later this week, so residents should be ready for alerts and updates. This outlook comes from the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.
Heat Safety And Cooling
The City notes that public libraries, parks, and recreation centers can double as cooling centers during their normal hours, though locations and schedules may shift during periods of extreme heat. If you need a place to cool off or help getting to a cooling site, officials urge you to review the city’s resources and tips before heading out. Details are available from the City of Austin.
Tropics Watch
Out over the water, forecasters are watching Tropical Storm Bertha in the northeast Gulf. The system is expected to move westward this week, and for now, the main effects are projected to stay focused along the Gulf Coast. A shift northward could send extra moisture toward Texas later in the week, but at this point the NWS Austin/San Antonio keeps Austin’s forecast mostly dry.
Quick snapshot: Today — Sunny, high near 100°F, heat index up to 107°F. Tonight — Mostly clear, low around 80°F. Wednesday — Sunny and hotter, high near 103°F with heat-index values as high as 113°F.
