Tropical Storm Harvey Could Bring Rain To Central Texas

AUSTIN, TX — If the remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey pivot ever so slightly northwest in its trajectory, Austin could get some much-needed rain. But that's a big "if."

According to the National Weather Service, the storm's vestiges have a high chance of redeveloping, with a path headed to the Texas Gulf Coast by Friday by way of northeast Mexico. But should Harvey take a scenic route to the northeast along bucolic Central Texas, surely there will be copious amounts of rain.

The NWS already predicts growing chances of rain by Friday, when a 40 percent chance of rainfall will develop and growing to a 60 percent chance by nightfall. By Saturday, the chances of rain will grow to 90 percent, with temperatures dipping to as low as 84.

That would be a veritable cool front. For this has been a cruel, cruel summer in Central Texas, with Austin experiencing 40 days (and counting) of temperatures at or above 100 degrees, as the city's main weather station at Camp Mabry illustrates.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researcher Andy Hazelton tweeted Tuesday morning, inadvertently dampening our hopes. According to his expert observations, Harvey's path remains uncertain and will partially depend on whether the front's current low-pressure center holds or a new one forms in a different location.

What's certain about Harvey is this: Houston and East Texas will, in all likelihood, get drenched. Some of those conditions could be treacherous, according to NWS officials, and residents of those areas are being highly urged to prepare now.

Among the preparations residents in the imminent eye of the storm can take is trim tree branches vulnerable to being downed by the storm and fortifying doors and windows in their homes.

As of Wednesday, Harvey ha a high chance of redeveloping, and could be full reconstituted in the next 24 to 48 hours, NWS officials said. Thereafter, Harvey was expected to gain strength and draw nearer to Texas (if not make landfall altogether) somewhere from northeast Mexico to the Texas Gulf Coast around Friday, NWS officials said.