Much of North and Central Texas is stepping into a stretch of weather that demands attention, patience, and preparation. A Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday morning, as a nearly stalled front and deep tropical moisture combine to produce repeated rounds of rain — some of it heavy enough to trigger flash flooding.
A Slow-Moving Setup With Big Rainfall Potential
Showers and storms are already ongoing this morning, bubbling up ahead of the front that has barely budged overnight. As these storms track eastward through the day, they’ll tap into a rich plume of moisture, producing 2 to 4 inches of rain for most areas, with isolated pockets up to 6 inches possible. Forecasters note that the exact placement of those higher totals remains uncertain, so staying updated over the next 24 hours will be important.
The atmosphere will also support strong to isolated severe storms, especially where outflow boundaries collide. These storms may produce strong winds, brief bursts of heavy rain, and lightning — all hazards that can develop quickly.
Flash Flooding: A Real Concern Through Friday
With repeated waves of precipitation expected, the risk for flash flooding will persist through Friday. Heavy downpours may overwhelm drainage systems, leading to ponding, puddling, hydroplaning hazards, and rapid rises in creeks and streams. Visibility can drop sharply in the heaviest rain, and nighttime flooding remains especially dangerous.
The message from meteorologists is simple: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Even shallow-looking water can conceal washed‑out pavement or swift currents.
Austin & San Antonio: Tropical Moisture Supercharges the Front
From the Austin/San Antonio Weather Forecast Office , a Flood Watch covers much of South Central Texas from 7 PM today through 7 PM Friday. A cold front merging with tropical moisture will bring periods of life‑threatening flash flooding, especially across the Hill Country and Winter Garden region, including Kerrville and Uvalde.
Projected rainfall totals through Friday range from:
- 1 to 4 inches across most of South Central Texas
- 4 to 6 inches across the Hill Country and Winter Garden region
- Isolated pockets of 6 to 8 inches in the most intense bands
A main line of storms is expected to sweep northwest‑to‑southeast late tonight through Thursday, arriving:
- Western areas: now through 7 AM Thursday
- Central areas: 7 AM to 2 PM Thursday
- Eastern areas: 1 PM to 6 PM Thursday
Redevelopment is possible Thursday night into Friday morning across the eastern two‑thirds of the region.
Looking Ahead: A Wet Weekend Before Relief Arrives
Rain chances linger into the weekend before drier air finally moves in. Afternoon highs will settle in the upper 70s to lower 80s, with overnight lows dipping into the 50s and 60s — a cooler stretch that arrives courtesy of the persistent cloud cover and rainfall.
Flood Safety: A Community Priority
With several days of heavy rain ahead, it’s important to remember:
- Never drive through flooded roads — Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- Avoid low‑lying areas, creeks, and streams.
- Use multiple ways to receive warnings, including NOAA Weather Radio and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Exercise extra caution at night, when flood hazards are harder to see.
Flooding can happen any time of year, and preparation is key. For more on flood safety and how to plan ahead, visit weather.gov/safety/flood.
