Will Tropical Storm Barry Impact Austin Area?

AUSTIN, TX — Forecasters on Thursday said Tropical Storm Barry has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, but its impact on Texas is expected to be minimal.

Yet those planning on hitting the road to Louisiana are strongly discouraged to do so. The Pelican State is expected to be hardest hit by the storm, with severe weather expected — Category 1 hurricane wind speeds, heavy rain, storm surge and possible tornadoes, Houston station ABC 13 reports. Those needing to travel to the state are urged to take extra precautions.

Here's a meteorological sentence construction sure to bring relief to Central Texas residents accustomed to heavy, flood-inducing storms: "The forecast zone is covering much of Louisiana, and no longer includes Texas," the news station reported.

But as it relates to rain, some areas in Texas aren't out the woods. "One model is still trying to bring this storm into Southeast Texas so we must stay weather aware and updated until this storm takes a turn to the north," Houston forecasters added.

Still, if rain does come to the Austin region, it's expected to be minimal with the storm expected to stay well to our east. Texans have learned not to take safety for granted when storms form over the Gulf — with memories of historic flooding in the not to distant past still fresh in their memories — hence this update.

This time, Central Texas will be spared. Houstonians — still vividly recalling the devastation of Hurricane Harvey two years ago — also are exhaling a collective sigh of relief as minimal rainfall, if any, is expected there.

Back in Austin, here's what the forecast calls for in the coming days as predicted by the National Weather Service.

• Thursday night: 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with a low around 76 degrees. North winds will be negligible at 5 to 10 miles per hour.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 100. North wind 5 to 10 miles per hour.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. North northeast wind 5 to 10 miles per hour.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. North wind 5 to 10 miles per hour.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. North northeast wind around 5 miles per hour becoming calm after midnight.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. North wind around 5 miles per hour.
• Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. East northeast wind around 5 miles per hour becoming southeast after midnight.