Austin, TX
Austin can’t shake rain chances. Here’s where flood risk persists in parts of Texas
Austin can’t shake off its rain chances just yet. Although we’ve been able to enjoy at least a couple of rain-free days this week, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a 40% chance of afternoon rain on both Saturday and Sunday, thanks to surge in atmospheric moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
Daytime temperatures in Austin will steadily increase over the coming days, including afternoon highs of 93 on Saturday and 95 on Sunday. Southerly winds of 5 to 10 mph that have been delivering moisture-rich air from the Gulf means humidity will make those 90-degree temps feel closer to 100. Recent rains, though, have helped keep daily maximum temps to near or below normal levels for mid-July, but that will change soon.
Central Texas on Saturday will find itself dealing with an upper-atmosphere wave of low pressure that could trigger storms and an increasingly deep flow of Gulf moisture.
This has led the weather service’s Weather Prediction Center, which specializes in flood forecasts, to place the northern half of Texas under a level 2 of 4 risk, or at least a 15% chance, of excessive rainfall. A portion of Texas that includes flood-ravaged Kerr County and Interstate 35 corridor counties like Travis, Williamson and Hays, faces a level 1 of 4 risk, or at least a 5% chance of excessive rainfall.
Precipitable water values, or the amounts of liquid that could be condensed from water vapor in a given column of air, also are rising along and east of the I-35 corridor, the weather service said.
“This will promote the return for isolated to scattered rain/storm activity, with the greatest coverage likely in the Coastal Plains,” the weather service said in a forecast bulletin Friday.
Saturday night into Sunday, forecasters said, a shortwave trough of low atmospheric pressure out of Colorado will help drive a cold front southward into the Texas Panhandle.
“This boundary… results in increased rain and thunderstorm chances from West Texas to the Red River and northeastward through Oklahoma,” the weather service said. “Our local region looks to be more on the southern end of this weather system with primarily isolated to scattered rain/storm activity across our region through Sunday afternoon.”
Forecast modeling “continues to show the greatest footprint for rainfall and potential for any flooding instances centering from the Midland/San Angelo area northeastward to the Red River and into Oklahoma,” the weather service said, adding that “details, however, will continue to be fine-tuned.”
Rain chances diminish quickly as we enter the work week. Sunshine takes over the weather starting on Monday, as high temperatures in the mid-90s through midweek increase to 97 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.
Austin, TX
Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps
As the Austin area prepares to plunge into freezing temperatures Sunday night, the city is initiating its Cold Weather Shelters protocol.
Those wanting to use the emergency shelters, which open when overnight temperatures reach 35 degrees or lower, must register between 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC) on Barton Springs Road, according to a release from the city. Those interested and in need of transport can reach the OTC via bus lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Anyone who can’t pay bus fare but needs shelter will still be allowed to ride, a Facebook post from the city said.
Following registration, CapMetro shuttles will take guests from the OTC to a cold weather shelter. The addresses for these shelters are kept confidential due to “safety, privacy and capacity concerns,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The Statesman also reported that shelters provide meals and allow leashed, friendly pets.
All parks and libraries are meanwhile serving as warming centers during regular operating hours, except for Austin Public Library’s Old Quarry Branch and Willie Mae Kirk Branch.
Austin, TX
Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — A Downtown Austin building was cleared after a bomb threat was made Saturday night.
Police say that the call came in at 9:38 p.m., after which officers arrived to the scene and cleared a nearby building at 311 E 6th St.
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The threat was found to not be credible, and no one was injured.
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Police say no one is in custody and they will be clearing the scene shortly.
Austin, TX
The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference Friday to discuss a new deal with Southwest Airlines and its expected impact on the city.
The deal, approved Thursday by the Austin City Council, awards Southwest $2,750 for each new Austin-based hire over the next five years. In exchange, the airline plans to add 2,000 high-paying jobs with an average salary of $180,000 and invest in local workforce initiatives, including the city’s new Austin Infrastructure Academy.
Officials say the deal will strengthen Southwest’s presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the carrier already handles more than 40 percent of all passenger traffic.
The partnership is expected to bring in nearly $20 million in local tax revenue, and the incentive program will last for five years and pay Southwest up to $5.5 million.
Mayor Watson said the agreement will not only create new jobs in Austin but will improve the overall experience at AUS.
“We’re building lives and careers at the same time we’re building tarmacs and terminals,” Watson said. “Southwest is choosing Austin because our people, our workforce, and our future make us a smart investment. This deal creates thousands of good-paying jobs, improves the passenger experience, and ensures the benefits flow directly to Austin workers, families, and tourists. This agreement is proof that Austin means business and cares about the success of its people.”
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Read the full story at KVUE.com.
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