Sunshine, warm temperatures, and breezy south winds will define the weather pattern across Central Texas over the next few days. While afternoon temps will peak above the mid-May average high of 86 degrees, temperatures through the weekend are expected to remain well below daily record highs, which range from 99 to 101 degrees.
Morning clouds will give way to sunny afternoons as high atmospheric pressure shifts east of the region. This also will allow a steady southerly onshore flow from the Gulf of Mexico to return.
High atmospheric pressure will shift east of Texas on Thursday, with the clockwise flow around the system helping to pull winds from the south. (Weather Prediction Center)
Winds will be a little blustery, with gusts near 25 mph on Thursday. Temperatures will climb into the middle and upper 80s in the Hill Country and to the lower 90s along the Interstate 35 corridor.
Friday will produce a few more morning clouds, along with a continued slow surge in temperatures, reaching the upper 80s and lower to mid-90s in the afternoon. A bump in humidity will increase heat index readings, or “feels like” temperatures to about a degree or two above the actual air temperature.
“Falling (atmospheric) heights and a weak developing low over the southwestern continental United States should further tighten the surface pressure gradient over Texas and leading to a gustier afternoon,” meteorologists from the National Weather Service wrote in their daily forecast discussion for Central Texas.
Humidity levels in Central Texas will continue to rise over the weekend, making mornings feel increasingly muggy and uncomfortable. Meanwhile, overnight temperatures will remain in the 70s beneath mostly overcast skies.
Clouds should thin a bit during the afternoons, leading to a mix of sun and clouds in Austin, with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees. However, the added humidity will make it feel more like the lower to mid-90s.
No rain is expected this weekend, but wetter weather is likely to return early next week, with solid daily chances for rain and thunderstorms.
Get ready for a dry weekend in Austin but don’t let your guard down, more rain is expected next week with a daily chance through at least Friday. (National Weather Service)
Gardening in May
With the weather expected to be calm and cooperative this weekend — free of severe storms or heavy rainfall — it might be a good time to visit your local garden center and pick up supplies to help prepare your yard and garden for the intense summer heat in the coming months.
According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, one of the first steps is to fertilize trees and blooming shrubs after their flowers fade. Gardeners should also get the last of their bedding plants into the ground so roots can become established before the hottest weather sets in. Container plants can be swapped out for warm-season annuals better suited to handle Texas heat.
Tiffany Washington tends her fall garden in Austin in this file photo taken last year. As we get closer to summer, gardeners should get the last of their bedding plants into the ground so roots can become established before the hottest weather sets in, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (Ricardo B. Brazziell)
Fruit and nut trees should be watered deeply to help prevent fruit drop, and experts recommend using the “cycle-and-soak” watering method to encourage deeper root growth ahead of potential summer water restrictions. To improve soil health, apply a layer of compost followed by mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. As for lawns, mow as needed and leave grass clippings behind to help maintain organic matter in the soil.