Live weather updates: Austin-area storms Friday could bring rain, hail, high winds

Brace for high winds and strong to severe thunderstorms Friday night when a Pacific cold front sweeps into Central Texas, potentially bringing up to a quarter-inch of rain to a parched Austin. Check back for live weather updates throughout the day.

Storms could arrive in Austin around 7 p.m.

4:30 p.m. update: The latest forecast from the National Weather Service continues to call for isolated to scattered severe storms possibly in the early evening across parts of South-Central Texas.

"The greatest threat will be across the I-35 corridor and Coastal Plains (east of the highway)," the weather service said in a statement. "The primary hazard will be damaging straight-line winds and large hail."

Forecasters also warned that "a few tornadoes are possible, mainly along and east of a line from Burnet to San Marcos to Gonzales."

Austin city officials sent messages via email and text to the public with their own warning: "High chance severe weather 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Austin-Travis County. Monitor weather conditions for more info."

The weather service repeated its recommendation that "given the potential timing of storms during the late afternoon and evening commute, those with travel plans should pay close attention to the radar and any potential watchesor warnings later today."

Highest risk of severe storms shifts northeast

12:30 p.m. update: The severe weather forecast from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has shifted the highest risk of dangerous storms farther to the northeast.

"It should be noted that we are on the southwest side of the greatest severe thunderstorm threat area," according to University of Texas meteorology lecturer Troy Kimmel. "The most significant severe weather will be from Austin northeastward," adding that it's possible the Hill Country will get little rainfall.

"Most importantly, the guidance shows very rapid thunderstorm development somewhere within 25 milesof the IH-35 corridor/Austin metro area in the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. time frame as the strong surface cold front movesswiftly southeastward across the area and maximizes atmospheric lift," the veteran forecaster told readers of his weather newsletter Friday.

If storms develop 20 miles west of Austin, then the metro area will get plenty of rain and potentially severe weather, Kimmel said.

"If they develop overhead, then it will be metro Austin and areas to the east affected," he said. "If they develop 15 miles east of Austin, then it's a forecast bust for Austin and areas to the east get the rain and potentially severe weather."

Kimmel stressed that any outdoor events set for later Friday and into the evening should watch for thunderstorms that could develop and produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.

"A dynamic/vigorous upper-level low pressure storm system, currently located over New Mexico is moving eastward and will cross Texas and the southern plains with an associated surface dry line and cold front today into tonight," he said.

Along with warm southerly winds, "these atmospheric ingredients will combine to contribute to a potential quick round of severe thunderstorms for our area," Kimmel said.

"All thunderstorm hazards will be possible, including an isolated tornado or two, large hail as well as damaging straight line thunderstorm wind damage," he said.

Friday forecast includes severe weather

10:30 a.m. update: Central Texas has already gotten a dusting of light showers Friday morning, but forecasters expect nastier weather to move through the Austin metro area in the early evening, producing rain, high winds and possibly a tornado east of Interstate 35.

The National Weather Service has its eyes on a strong cold front sweeping in from the northwest that, combined with unstable air and warm, moisture-rich air flowing in from the Gulf of Mexico, is a key ingredient for severe weather in Austin this time of year.

Forecasters said the cold front should approach the western Hill Country by the afternoon and enter the Interstate 35 urban corridor sometime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. A potent line of thunderstorms is expected to form along the front.

"Damaging wind gusts continue to be the primary concern with this line of storms, with isolated storms also possibly producing large hail as convection initially develops," the weather service said in a bulletin Friday morning. "A secondary tornado threat also exists."

Some of the more intense storms could occur across Williamson and eastern Travis counties, eastward into Fayette County, with a lower risk of such storms in the Hill Country west of Austin.

"Given the potential timing of the storms during the late afternoon and early evening commute, those planning to be on the roads should pay particularly close attention to the radar and any potential watches or warnings later today," forecasters said.

Austin's forecast for Friday includes severe storms but they should exit the metro area by 9 p.m., the weather service said. Otherwise expect mostly cloudy skies with high of 85 degrees and a low of 51 at night. West winds of 5 to 10 mph will become north-northwest gusty winds after midnight.

Sunshine and seasonably cooler temperatures return on Saturday, which could see temperatures stay below 74 degrees.