Austin woke up under a blanket of clouds and sticky humidity this morning, with temperatures around 77°F and dew points in the mid 70s. The heat is expected to crank up into the low to mid 90s Saturday, with heat index values near 103°F by mid-afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. could turn outdoor plans into a bit of a coin flip.
Afternoon Storms And Heat
There is a 40-43% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Saturday, with the best window for storms in the afternoon and early evening. Most spots will only see a few tenths of an inch of rain, but any stronger storm could drop brief heavy downpours, locally up to about a half inch, along with sudden lightning. Winds stay light from the south-southeast around 0-5 mph, which means any storms that do form could move slowly, according to the National Weather Service.
Flooding Risk Early Next Week
The pattern shifts early next week, with higher rain chances on Monday and Tuesday (July 13-14) as deep Gulf moisture moves into the region. The forecast office has warned that cumulative totals of 3 inches or more are possible in parts of the area, which would increase the risk of localized flash flooding. Forecasters still are not certain exactly where the heaviest rain will set up, so anyone with travel or outdoor plans early in the week should keep an eye on updates.
Plan For Heat And Storms
With heat index values near 100-103°F, basic summer survival rules apply: drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor work in the hottest part of the afternoon, and check on neighbors who are elderly or otherwise vulnerable. Austin Public Library branches and Parks and Recreation centers serve as cooling spaces during normal hours. For locations and hours, see the city's guidance at the City of Austin.
We covered the ongoing muggy stretch earlier this week. This forecast update zeroes in on Saturday afternoon storm chances and the elevated rain risk for Monday and Tuesday. For more background, see our ongoing muggy stretch.
