7:45 a.m. update: A flash flood warning is in effect for Travis, Williamson, Hays, Burnet and Caldwell counties, northwestern Bastrop County and eastern Blanco County until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
“A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring,” the weather service said in its flood bulletin. “If you are in the warned area, move to higher ground immediately.”
Doppler radar images showed thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall across the Austin metro area. Rain gauges measured between 1 and 2 inches of rain since midnight and flash flooding was ongoing or expected soon, forecasters said.
“Additional rainfall amounts (of) up to 3 inches are possible in the warned area due to showers and thunderstorms falling over the same areas,” the weather service said.
Flooding can occur from excessive runoff from heavy rainfall and from water topping the banks of small creeks and streams, forecasters said.
7:10 a.m. update: A flash flood warning for Llano County and southwestern Burnet County is in effect until 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Communities affected by the flooding include Kingsland, Llano, Granite Shoals and Horseshoe Bay.
“A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring,” the weather service said in its flood bulletin. “If you are in the warned area, move to higher ground immediately.”
Flooding can occur from excessive runoff from heavy rainfall and from water topping the banks of small creeks and streams, forecasters said.
Wednesday forecast for Austin: A flash flood watch is in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday for the Austin metro area along and west of Interstate 35, the National Weather Service said.
In the short term, an urban and small stream flood advisory also is in effect for parts of the Austin metro area until 8 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
“A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding,” the weather service said in a bulletin Wednesday morning. “You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.”
Areas under the flash flood watch include: Blanco, Burnet, Hays, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties.
The collision of a strong cold front from the northwest with warm moisture from the south will generate heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, the weather service said.
The advisory for urban stream flooding applies to Llano, Burnet and Blanco counties in the Hill Country, Hays County and northwestern Travis County.
Doppler radar images showed training storms capable of producing heavy rainfall in the advisory area. The Hill Country counties have recorded up to 2 inches of rain already, the weather service said. Up to 2 more inches of rainfall is possible throughout the day, resulting in minor flooding, forecasters said.
As of 6:30 a.m., rain gauges monitored by the Lower Colorado River Authority showed as much as 5 inches recorded in southern Llano County and up to 3 inches in western Blanco county since midnight.
Communities around Lake Travis in northwestern Travis County have reported more than a half-inch of rain and counting.
As storms continue to produce heavy rainfall across the Hill Country, Austin won’t see as much rain but the overcast skies will help keep daytime temperatures below 84 degrees. Expect south-southeast winds to kick up to 10 mph with gusts as strong as 20 mph, forecasters said.
At night, more storms are likely, mainly after 10 p.m. as the cold front approaches Austin. Overnight temperatures could drop to as low as 66 degrees as east winds become cooler north-northwest breezes after midnight. Rainfall amounts of up to an inch are possible, the weather service said.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week and weekend:
Thursday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 76. North winds of around 10 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday night has a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low around 67.
Friday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. with a high near 84. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 30% chance of rain after 1 p.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny with a high near 90. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 89. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms at night with a low around 72.
Monday: A 60% chance of rain with a high near 86. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms at night with a low around 71.
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