Austin Weather Forecast: Weekend Storms, Triple-Digit Heat & Flood Watch—What Residents Need to Know

Central Texas Braces for Wet Holiday as Spring Storm Pattern Strengthens AUSTIN—Meteorologists are tracking a surge of Gulf moisture that will turn Memorial Day into a soggy one for Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. According to the National Weather Service 7-day outlook, the city has a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms late tonight into Monday morning, and a few of those storms could reach severe limits with damaging winds and hail. The NWS Austin/San Antonio office adds that isolated strong cells may also fire along the Rio Grande before racing east toward the I-35 corridor. What to Expect Hour-by-Hour • Overnight: Mostly cloudy skies keep thermometers hovering near 70 °F while pockets of heavy rain develop. • Memorial Day morning: Downpours could disrupt sunrise holiday events; plan on slippery roads, ponding, and brief lightning delays. • Afternoon: Intermittent breaks in cloud cover allow highs to reach the mid-80s, fueling additional convection. • Evening: Storm chances taper after sunset, but lingering humidity keeps it muggy for backyard barbecues. Short-Range Outlook (Tuesday–Thursday) High pressure noses in from West Texas, trimming rain chances to 20 percent Tuesday and ushering in a warming trend. Expect highs near 88 °F Tuesday, climbing to 92 °F by Thursday with heat indices in the mid-90s. Nighttime lows settle into the low 70s—sticky, but typical for late May in Austin. Weekend Preview Another upper-level disturbance is projected to sweep across northern Mexico Friday, dragging a weak front toward Central Texas. Current model consensus hints at scattered storms Friday night, followed by partly sunny skies and seasonal temperatures (90-91 °F) for Saturday and Sunday. Monitor updates; a slight southward jog of the boundary could spell a wetter start to June. Why May Downpours Matter Austin averages 35.5 inches of rain per year, and May stands as the city’s single wettest month. These late-spring deluges help recharge the Highland Lakes and ease drought stress before summer’s heat dome arrives. Reservoir managers note that each inch of widespread rainfall can add several thousand acre-feet to Lake Travis, a key source of drinking water and recreation. Summer Sneak Peek The Old Farmer’s Almanac calls for a hotter-than-normal, drier summer across Central Texas, with the hottest bursts in late June and late July. That outlook means the current storm train may be Austin’s best chance to bank precipitation before triple-digit days dominate calendars and energy bills. Tips to Stay Weather-Ready • Download a trusted weather app and enable warnings for severe thunderstorm alerts. • Keep an eye on low-water crossings; flash flooding can occur within minutes. • Secure patio furniture ahead of gusty winds, and unplug sensitive electronics during lightning. • Hydrate early: rising dew points can make outdoor activities feel 5–10 °F warmer than the thermometer reads. Bookmark this page and check back daily for the latest Austin weather forecast, radar trends, and heat-index advisories. Whether you’re grilling, swimming, or gearing up for ACL and other summer festivals, staying informed will help you beat the Central Texas weather curve.