Here Comes The Rain Again: Potentially Severe Storms Austin-Bound

AUSTIN, TX — It's been a wild few weeks in Central Texas, what with heavy downpours redefining the aphorism positing that "April showers bring May flowers." As we await the floral fruits of such prodigious rainfall, residents are urged to brace for another round of potentially severe storms that could come as early as Thursday.

Also, count on rain through the weekend. And through the beginning of next week. We're just the messengers here, but sorry.

Thursday calls for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service, with some of the storms potentially severe. Thursday has been mostly cloudy, with a high near 82 degrees. Southeast wind was blowing at around 10 miles per hour. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible, forecasters said.

By Thursday night, the same 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms lingers. Some of the storms could be severe, forecasters reiterate. It's expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 69 degrees. Southeast winds will be between 5 to 10 miles per hour, with new rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

More of the wet stuff will come on Friday, when the chance of precipitation grows to 80 percent. Showers and thunderstorms are predicted, mainly after 8 a.m., with a high near 77 degrees. Southeast wind will be between 5 to 10 miles per hour. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible, forecasters said.

The chances for rain won't relent on Friday night, either. Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast, mainly before 2 a.m. The low will be around 65, and those winds will shift to an east-southeast direction with an unchanged speed between 5 to 10 miles per hour before becoming light and variable after midnight. The chance of precipitation will remain at 80, according to the NWS.

Surely the rain will dissipate by Saturday, you muse hopefully. Sorry, no. There's a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, the forecasters are saying. It'll be partly sunny, with a high near 80. North wind will be from 5 to 10 mph. However, by Saturday night, rain chances will reduct to 30 percent before 8 p.m. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East northeast wind between 5 to 10 mph will become southeast winds after midnight.

Sunday is when things will improve. Forecasters are calling for mostly sunny conditions with a high near 84. East wind: 5 to 10 mph. Sunday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

This is all part of an active weather pattern from the Southern Plains to the Midwest and Ohio Valley along a nearly stationary frontal boundary, forecasters explain. "Multiple waves of low pressure are expected to form along this boundary and these are expected to produce mesoscale convective complexes with enhanced rainfall," officials write on the NWS website. "Numerous showers and storms are expected to continue regenerating in the vicinity of this front with the best prospects for heavy rainfall from central Texas to southern Illinois, with amounts on the order of 2 to 4 inches likely for some areas."

Well that kinda puts a damper on things. And forecasters aren't done yet: "There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall across parts of these areas where the threat of flash flooding is greatest over the next couple of days," meteorologists warned. "Some severe thunderstorms will also be possible, with the best prospects for these across Texas and also the Ohio Valley..." they added.

While the frontal boundary should slowly progress southward on Friday, forecasters said the heavy rainfall will continue to be a threat across parts of central and eastern Texas. The eastern part of the this boundary crosses through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by the end of the week. "This will also generate showers and storms in the warm and humid airmass ahead of it,

with the potential for some strong to severe storms," they helpfully added.

So can we at least say bye bye to the rain in starting the work week ahead? Think again, my optimist friends. Rain chances will continue to linger throughout the week. Here's the forecast:

• Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Monday night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
• Tuesday night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
• Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.

You get the idea, so we'll stop there. Keep that umbrella handy. In the event of flash flooding, make sure you visit ATXfloods.com to see low-water crossings to avoid and DriveTexas.org for the latest street conditions. Be safe out there, and please: Turn Around, Don't Drown.

This song was stuck in our brain as this story was being written, and now it might be stuck in yours. For that, too, sorry. Great song, though.