Austin is starting Wednesday under mostly cloudy, muggy skies, but the heat is waiting just around the corner. Temperatures are expected to climb to about 94 degrees, with the heat index reaching as high as 103 before scattered showers and thunderstorms become possible this afternoon.
Storm Chances Arrive After Lunch
Scattered showers and storms are possible during the afternoon, although spotty showers and storms could continue into the evening. The forecast puts rain chances near 40%, with a few downpours possible. The NWS forecast describes spotty Wednesday rainfall from a few hundredths of an inch up to perhaps half an inch.
South to southeast winds will run 5 to 10 mph, with gusts of 20 to 25 knots, approximately 23 to 29 mph, during the afternoon. There are no watches, warnings or advisories in effect for Austin, but the combination of heat, humidity and gusty weather could make outdoor plans feel more complicated than the calendar suggests.
Thursday Stays Hot Before Fall Finally Shows Up
Thursday should bring mostly sunny skies and another warm afternoon near 91 degrees, with little chance of rain. The latest outlook from the National Weather Service shows the bigger change arriving early Friday as a cold front pushes through Central Texas.
Friday could begin with a few showers, followed by partly sunny skies and a much cooler high near 76. North winds will strengthen to 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, so loose patio furniture, decorations and umbrellas may have a rougher day than their owners.
Weekend Cooldown Looks Dramatic
Friday night could fall to around 53 degrees, with another chilly 40-mph gust potential before winds ease. Saturday should be mostly sunny with a high near 73, while Sunday warms modestly to about 78 under sunny skies.
The forecast then turns warmer again Monday, with a high near 83 and a slight chance of afternoon showers. Tuesday's Austin forecast had already expected the front Thursday night into Friday, with cooler weekend highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.
