Multiple flash flood warnings are currently underway throughout Central Texas, including in one major city preparing to host its biggest music festival of the year. While some Austin City Limits Festgoers may be hoping that storms will magically disappear this weekend, a local meteorologist is saying it’s not a matter of if it will rain, but how much the region will get.
CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco said in a social media post on Thursday, October 1 that “this complex of storms will slowly move eastward towards the I-35 corridor by late morning/early afternoon.” Although some parts of Austin have already experienced downpours early Thursday morning, Tomasco explained this is only the beginning.
“Yes, it will rain more in Austin. Stop telling me it’s not going to rain in Austin,” Tomasco wrote on Facebook. “The question is whether or not we see a big flood threat along the I-35 metro areas this afternoon…”
Tomasco is forecasting that there may be a lower flood threat along the I-35 corridor as these storms continue to progress eastward. He estimates that the Austin area should be getting about 1 to 3 inches of rain this weekend while mitigating any bigger flood issues. According to the National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio office, at least an 80 percent chance of showers lingers throughout the Austin area through Friday.
Tomasco added that some low-water crossing/poor drainage issues will remain passable Thursday, but that could change as rains are expected to continue until Sunday.
“Lots of moving pieces to keep tabs on,” Tomasco concluded. “Many more updates coming your way through the morning.”