Austin will feel more like Houston this weekend as storms bring humid weather

If you're traveling to Austin for a graduation ceremony or planning to head downtown for the Pecan Street Festival, it may be a good idea to pack an umbrella — and wear something cool.

Although rain chances aren't very high, there's a slight chance of thunderstorms all weekend in Austin, according to the National Weather Service. But one thing you can likely expect: it's going to be a swampy feeling weekend.

Here's what we know:

Isolated thunderstorms and rain expected Thursday evening

Thursday is when chances are the highest for isolated thunderstorms and rain in Austin if those storms can break through the "cap," which is when a layer of warm air sits about several thousand feet off the ground and usually breaks up the development of thunderstorms.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service said if storms do develop, expect rain between 7 p.m. and midnight for nearly all of Central Texas. Data from Camp Mabry shows that the highest chances of rain are between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m. when there's over a 30% chance of rain and thunderstorms.

The whole region is also at a slight risk, which is level two out of five for the National Weather Service, for the storms to become severe tonight. This could bring hail and damaging winds if those storms do develop.

Thursday's also going to be one of the coolest days for the next five days, with temperatures not expected to get above the mid-80s.

But it may feel a little swampy outside, and that's because these storms brought in some humidity that you can expect to stick around this weekend. Thursday's dewpoint is expected to stay in the high 60s to low 70s.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Rain chances are lower, but it's going to be muggy

Austin's pretty clear of having any severe storms these days, but it still may be a good idea to pack an umbrella if you're going to be out during the late afternoon and Friday night.

The National Weather Service predicts there's only about a 20% chance of rain Friday, lasting from about 4 p.m. to midnight.

Meanwhile, a portion of eastern Travis and Williamson counties are at a slight risk for severe storms Friday afternoon and evening.

Saturday's chances of rain are even lower, with chances of rain in Austin only being about 17-24% from about 1 p.m. to midnight. The National Weather Service predicts there's also a marginal chance those storms could become severe on Saturday.

Sunday's rain and thunderstorm chances are a bit higher, with about a 30% chance of rain from 1 - 6 p.m.

One thing you can expect this whole weekend: hot, muggy weather. The dewpoint isn't expected to dip below 70 degrees the whole weekend, while afternoon heat indexes could cause it to feel like it's in the upper 90s.

• Friday: Temperatures are expected to hit 89 degrees, but the heat index will have it feeling like 97 degrees.

• Saturday: It could feel like 99 degrees for parts of the afternoon when Austin hits its high of 90 degrees.

• Sunday: Another day with a high of 90 degrees, but it will feel a little cooler at only 98 degrees with the heat index.

Some good news: Austin could come out of this drought

That was a lot of bad news for anyone planning to spend any time outside this weekend. But there is some good coming out of all this rain we've been having, we could finally be saying goodbye to the drought.

The U.S. Drought Monitor moved Austin out of moderate drought conditions and to abnormally dry conditions, a continued improvement after a wetter-than-usual April.

More: Jacob's Well and Hamilton Pool swimming holes are closed. Here's why.

Additionally, parts of Travis and Williamson counties, mainly along I-35, could see drought conditions end, the National Integrated Drought Information System predicts. Eastern portions of these counties are expected to see drought conditions improve, as will most of Hays County, where drought conditions have been worst in the region.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin weather forecast: Severe storms possible Thursday evening