AUSTIN, Texas — A line of thunderstorms is sweeping through Central Texas early Thursday morning, delivering a welcome soaking to a region that has gone nearly three weeks without measurable rainfall.
Storms began moving through the Hill Country after 3 a.m., with rain totals of 1 to 2 inches reported in portions of Mason, Llano and Burnet counties before pushing eastward toward the Austin metro area. By mid-morning, the heaviest rainfall was concentrated along the I-35 corridor, with south Austin and most of Hays County receiving more than half an inch in a short period.
“It’s gonna rain in Austin for the first time in three weeks,” CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco said around 6 a.m. “Radar looks delectable. There is no severe weather. It’s all perfect.”
By mid-morning, the heaviest rainfall was concentrated along the I-35 corridor, with south Austin and most of Hays County receiving more than half an inch in a short period. (CBS Austin)
Tomasco said the storm system carried minimal severe weather concerns, with gusty winds and lightning present but no significant threats.
The rain arrives at a critical time for Central Texas. Austin has recorded only 3.3 inches of rainfall since Jan. 1, making it the driest start to a year since 2014, Tomasco said.
March broke the previous record for warmest average monthly temperature by more than a full degree. Rainfall during the first 10 days of March provided some relief but delivered only about half of the normal monthly allotment.
March broke the previous record for warmest average monthly temperature by more than a full degree. (CBS Austin)
There’s another chance for rain over Easter weekend. A cold front is expected to drive an 80% coverage of rain and storms across the region Saturday, primarily between late morning and mid-afternoon, with an additional quarter-inch to 1 inch of rainfall possible. Isolated to scattered severe storms could develop Friday evening over northwest Texas, though Tomasco said there is a very low chance that activity reaches the Hill Country.
Easter Sunday is expected to see clearing conditions, with only a lingering sprinkle possible around sunrise.
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