Rainy Week Ahead Throughout Central Texas, With Rain Chances Diminishing By Thursday

AUSTIN, TX — We won't sugarcoat it, nor beat around the bush: Most of the work week as people return to their jobs after the MLK national holiday will be dreary, with thunderstorms expected to dump substantive rain across the region.

It rained mainly in the overnight hours on Monday, and the day off reserved to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. stayed overcast even after the rain subsided. But as the week progresses, the likelihood of rain will increase.

By Tuesday, thunderstorms are likely after 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. It'll be on the cool side, with a high near 56 degrees. A light, north-northeast breeze will waft through the atmosphere at 5 to 15 mph. The likelihood of rain on Tuesday will be 60 percent, with rainfall amounts expected between a tenth and a quarter-inch. Forecasters predict such amounts might be higher, depending on the strength of the thunderstorms.

By nightfall on Tuesday, more showers are likely with a possibility of thunderstorms. It will be cloudy, with a low of about 48 degrees and northerly winds of 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation will increase to 70 percent and new rainfall amounts of between a quarter-inch to a half-inch are possible.

Wednesday will warm up with a high of 61 degrees expected, the a chance of showers and the possibility of a thunderstorm. Rain chances are 70 percent, and a gentle breeze from the north will be felt.

After 7 p.m. showers are likely and thunderstorms are possible. The breeze will remain the same, the low temp around 49 and precipitation chances at 60 percent.

By Thursday, chances of showers and thunderstorms diminish significantly to a mere 20 percent. It'll get hotter and partly sunny, too, with a high near 72 degrees. A calm wind will come in from the southwest at a negligible 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday night also will be pleasant, with a 20 percent chance of rain before 7 p.m. under partly cloudy conditions and a low around 52. The winds will be southerly at around 5 p.m.

The work week will wrap up in the unseasonably warm fashion to which you've become accustomed: Sunny with a high near 76 degrees and a 5 to 10 mph wind. The low will drop to 52 degrees.

In summary: Keep the umbrellas handy primarily on Tuesday and Wednesday, when the likelihood of measurable rain is greatest. And, as always, check for low water crossings at ATXfloods.comin plotting your trip to and from your destination in order to know which areas to avoid.

This week and always, remember: Turn around, don't drown. Rain runoff can be deceptive, and what looks like a stream you could drive over might be deeper and more powerful than what is visibly apparent. Even if it doesn't look that deep, never drive through low water crossings.

If you need more convincing, check out this video:

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