Tagged: weather

After tonight and tomorrow’s wintry weather passes through, we’re not expected to see a lot of moisture.

The National Weather Service updated its 3-month drought outlook this morning. It shows the drought will likely continue in Central Texas and the Hill Country… at least through March.

After the brutal drought of 2011, welcome rains this year put minds at ease in many parts of Texas. But any respite may be short-lived.

The best hope Texas had for a full recovery from its long drought was a wet upcoming winter. But recent weather models show that’s growing less and less likely. The reason? The El Niño weather pattern meteorologists expected is not forming in the Atlantic.

State Climatologist John Neilsen-Gammon tell StateImpact Texas the bad news doesn’t end there.

With blistering summer temperatures stretching all the way into September, Austin doesn’t need much prompting  to embrace cooler temperatures. This weekend’s cold front was proof of that, having marked the start of sweater weather for many Austinites.

Photojournalist Jillian Schantz Patrick took these pictures for KUT News over the weekend, documenting Austin’s reaction to the changing season.

The Central Texas area is expecting heavy rainfall and flash flooding this evening, with rain continuing over the next few days. Forecasters predict rainfall totals will average three to four inches, and could reach six to eight inches in some areas.

A flash flood watch for Travis County goes into effect at 6 p.m. tonight, and will remain in effect through Saturday evening. Bob Rose, chief meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority, predicts the heaviest rain will begin to fall after dark and will continue through the morning.

You can learn more from the National Weather Service and the city’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which is monitoring the flooding risks.

The city is also preparing for a flood of a different sort: the deluge of lost pets that end up in animal shelters after a storm.

Central Texas is under a flash flood watch today, as heavy rains are expected to hit Travis and surrounding counties this afternoon. Here’s what KUT News has been working on this morning, along with some top stories.

• Final Day for Bastrop Fire Victims to Apply for Housing Aid
• What Gave Gov. Perry Sleepless Nights on the Campaign Trail
• First in Texas: Austin City Council Declares Support for Same Sex Marriage
• It's Mediterranean Festival This Weekend

Here's more stories from around the web:

• Former Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley Makes Case for Prop. 1, Med School (Oak Hill Gazette)

“'With the growing population and the growing of these two segments, we can look down the road two or three years and see that we already have a doctor shortage of 700 doctors in this area,' Dunkerley said. 'So it is very critical that we do some strategy in order to get more physicians into this area to help all of us as we get older.'"

With Travis County receiving several inches of rain in the last 24 hours, a burn ban for the county is no longer in effect. 

Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee lifted the burn ban for the region today. It was initially scheduled to last until Oct. 3. The lift will be in effect until  at least Sept. 18, when the county commissioners court will consider the ban once more.

Officials still remind citizens to abide by state regulations when burning any materials outdoors. You can find more information on the fire marshall’s website.