Heavy Downpours In Austin Area Dump Up To 5 Inches Of Rain

UPDATE: A strong line of thunderstorms has begun to move into the area. These storms are expected to dump from one to three inches of rain in the area — possibly more. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and avoid low-water crossings. Flash flooding is possible. Monitor ATXFloods.com for a list of low-water crossings closed to traffic.

From March 26:

AUSTIN, TX — A "very impressive" line of thunderstorms are expected to descend across Central Texas this week, according to the National Weather Service. The upshot: Keep that umbrella handy, and watch for the possibility of flash floods.

That trusty, collapsible protector against rain might be needed as early as Tuesday, when a 50 percent chance of rain will linger Monday night — growing to 90 percent by Tuesday. It's part of a larger system that will encompass much of the southern U.S., according to forecasters and potentially dump up to three inches of rain in the Austin area.

"A very impressive upper trough will push across the West slowly over the next few days as deep southerly flow feeds copious amounts of moisture over the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley," forecaster said on their website in language more palpably animated than in their usual meteorological dispatches. "At the surface, a dry line will drift eastward across Texas and southern Oklahoma today," forecasters added.

This is the type of stuff of which meteorologists dream, a major climate event. That whole "...growing to 90 percent by Tuesday" thing isn't our verbiage employed for hyperbolic reasons. Take a gander at the icon NWS used to denote the impending rain chances. That rain is expected to bring up to five inches of rain by some estimates, setting the stage for dangerous flooding conditions.

"Along this boundary, thunderstorms will form and move across central and north Texas," they write. "Some of these thunderstorms could be severe, thus, the Storm Prediction Center has issued an enhanced risk of severe weather through Monday night."

This is where it gets serious, folks. As stated by the NWS, there could be severity to these storms. It's good to know this ahead of time and plan ahead on road travel. In times of heavy rain in Central Texas, it's always a good idea to visit ATXFloods.com to see the locations of low water crossings you need to avoid.

Often, motorists misjudge the height and power of surging rain and attempt to cross low water crossings. Tragically, it is sometimes a fatal mistake. "Turn around, don't drown," isn't just a catchy slogan, but makeshift mantra that should be heeded.

It's worse when the ground is dry from lack of rain, as the earth is less absorbent, causing the surging water to disperse almost violently and create potentially lethal crossings.

Adds the NWS: "A slight risk of severe thunderstorms will be possible on Tuesday and Wednesday throughout central to south/southeast Texas in addition to portions of the lower Mississippi Valley."

Stated simply: This is nothing to be trifled with. Please drive carefully, plot your alternative routes and consider staying home if you're at all able until the rain subsides.

But here's the good news, for the people who don't like rain: The sun will come up by Thursday, bet your bottom dollar that by Thursday there'll be sun with a low of around 54 degrees with gentle wind gusts not expected to exceed 10 miles per hour.

Here's a look at the Austin seven-day forecast provided by the National Weather Service:

• Monday night: A 30 percent chance of showers, but mainly after 1 a.m. Tuesday. It's mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
• Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 80. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. By Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 66 degrees. South, southeast wind 5 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 75 degrees. East wind around 10 miles per hour becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. On Wednesday Night, the chances of rain are predicted at a 30 percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58 degrees. North wind around 5 miles per hour.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 54. South southeast wind 5 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour, becoming west after midnight.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75 degrees. North wind 10 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour. Friday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 51 degrees. Northeast wind 5 miles per hour to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80, with Saturday night partly cloudy, with a low around 60 degrees.

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