Relief on the way! Severe Storms Possible too!

Good afternoon everybody. I hope you are all having a wonderful Easter weekend. As of 4 p.m. the mercury has climbed to 84ºF here in Austin under a partly to mostly cloudy sky. Tonight, mostly cloudy, breezy, mild and humid with lows in the 60s. A large cluster of thunderstorms is forecast to develop across Oklahoma late tonight and push south into north Texas through the overnight hours. As that disturbance approaches central Texas during the day tomorrow, showers and storms are likely to erupt across the area. The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of central Texas under the SLIGHT RISK category for severe weather tomorrow (Easter). There is a 50% chance for showers and storms, some of which may become strong or severe with damaging winds and large hail being the primary threats. Highs will climb from the 60s Easter morning into the 70s and 80s by afternoon under a mostly cloudy sky. Storms will be sporadic and fast-moving in nature, therefore, beneficial rainfall is not likely, however, a few locations may receive a healthy dousing.

Forecast radar at 8 a.m. Easter Morning (large cluster of storms pushing into north Texas out of Oklahoma):

Forecast radar at 2 p.m. Easter afternoon shows some strong/severe storms possible in central Texas: 

YELLOW = RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

Much better chances for widespread, beneficial rainfall comes Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Highs will climb well into the 80s Monday afternoon ahead of a strong cold front that will push through the area during the morning hours of Tuesday with a cluster of showers and thunderstorms. Rain will continue behind front for Tuesday night and Wednesday. The GFS model is forecasting widespread rainfall amounts over an inch between now and Thursday across all of central Texas. Keep your fingers crossed. Still expecting a significant cool down behind the front for late Tuesday into Wednesday.

GFS Forecasted Rainfall Accumulation:

NAM Model is forecasting much less in the way of rainfall for central Texas with north Texas receiving the heaviest amounts.

COOL SHOT OF LIGHTNING OVER LAKE TRAVIS FROM THE STORMS THAT MOVED THROUGH BACK ON MARCH 20th