Austin at risk for severe weather Thursday night; winds remain biggest threat

Roberto Villalpando and Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman
·3 min read

This week we say "Howdy!" to spring — and the nasty weather that comes with it.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Keith White, Austin's main weather station at Camp Mabry wrapped up its ninth-warmest winter on record — and that's even with the ice storms a month ago that knocked out power across Austin for days.

Meanwhile, March marks the meteorological start of spring, which in Austin means 'tis the season for severe weather — and Mother Nature is not wasting any time getting storms rolling.

White and meteorologist Nick Hampshire on Wednesday said the weather service's "forecast remains on track for strong winds over areas west of I-35 Thursday afternoon through Thursday night" that would make the Hill Country vulnerable to the spread of brush fires.

Separately, "the risk for severe weather has expanded slightly westward, with the primary window for any strong storms beginning over the Hill Country after 3 p.m. and expanding eastward, exiting our region by 11 p.m." Thursday, the weather service said in a statement.

The Hays school district on Thursday plans to end afterschool care and activities by 6:30 p.m. Thursday because it anticipates inclement weather to hit the area around 7 p.m., district officials said.

The Round Rock and Austin school districts also have canceled afterschool activities because of the forecast. The Manor district has canceled outdoor activities and will end all indoor afterschool activities by 6 p.m. In Lake Travis, all afterschool activities, except extended care at Lake Point and Lake Travis elementary schools, will end at 6 p.m.

The Pflugerville school district has also canceled after-school activities for Thursday.

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What's the forecast for Austin on Thursday?

"Storms ahead of the advancing cold front will have the potential to become severe Thursday afternoon and evening," forecasters said, adding that "damaging straight line winds and isolated tornadoes are the main threats."

Wind gusts late Thursday could be as strong as 40 to 50 mph west of Interstate 35 with some isolated gusts stronger than 50 mph, the weather service said.

Austin's forecast for Thursday includes a 40% chance of afternoon storms, some of which could be severe. Before those storms arrive, though, daytime temperatures could soar to as high as 84 degrees — only 4 degrees shy of the record for March 2 — amid gusty winds of 10 to 15 mph.

At night, rain chances increase to 50% before midnight. Winds will shift to cooler westerly breezes overnight, as temperatures sink into the 50s.

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What should I do to prepare for bad weather?

During periods of damaging high winds, the weather service recommends these actions:

  • Secure loose yard objects like trash cans or light patio furniture.

  • When driving on overpasses or roads exposed to wind gusts, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.

  • Be prepared for power outages by having a flashlight handy and keep your cellphone charged.

  • Avoid burning anything outside and dispose of cigarette butts properly.

What's the forecast for Friday?

Sunshine is expected to make a quick return to Austin by Friday morning, but with a more seasonal high temperature of 71 degrees. If you are going to be outside to enjoy the milder temperatures, be sure to brace for blustery northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts as strong as 35 mph.

Austin skies on Friday night should be mostly clear, but the dry air and cloudless skies will allow radiant heat acquired during the day to escape, thus allowing overnight temperatures to slip into the 40s.

What's the weekend weather looking like?

The weather service's extended forecast calls for sunshine and high temperatures in the upper 70s on Saturday and Sunday as balmy southerly winds return to Central Texas.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin at risk for severe weather Thursday, winds to be biggest threat