Rainy Week Forecast In Austin Area

AUSTIN, TX — We hope many of you enjoyed the three-day weekend courtesy of Presidents Day. But now it's back to reality: Tuesday as you go back to work you'll need to keep the umbrella handy.

Heavy thunderstorms are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, with the possibility of flooding in some parts of Austin, according to the National Weather Service.

It'll be a case of feast or famine, as it's been an unusually dry year so far. Some areas could see up to three inches of rainfall, forecasters say, with isolated spots receiving up to five inches. Those in the Hill Country can expect strong to severe thunderstorms.

According to National Weather Service forecasters, Tuesday will bring showers and thunderstorms with a high near 73 degrees and winds of up to 15 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday night, things really start to happen. Showers and thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall, with a 100 percent chance of precipitation. New rainfall amounts will be between a half to three-quarters of an inche possible.

More of the same on Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, some producing heavy rainfall. The high temperature will be near 58 degrees. And there's no escaping the rain, with the chance of precipitation again 100 percent. By nighttime, the chance of showers and thunderstorms will drop to 50 percent. It'll be cloudy with a low around 44 degrees. The north wind will be from 10 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour.

The chance of rain will continue into Thursday, with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. It'll be cloudy, with a high near 60 degrees. Thursday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely. This will be a cloudy day, with a low around 53 degrees, The chance of precipitation will increase from Wednesday to 60 percent.

Friday also will bring with it a chance of rain (30 percent) with those chances increasing on Sauturday to 60 percent. Visit the National Weather Service website for more information.

So take the umbrella, think happy thoughts, and realize how beneficial the rain is to flora and fauna. Think about how dry it's been and adopt the mantra "we need this."

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