News Summary
Austin experienced an extraordinary rainfall on Tuesday, accumulating nearly 3 inches in some areas, leading to flood advisories for Travis County and neighboring regions. Camp Mabry and Austin Bergstrom Airport recorded significant amounts, with the latter nearly setting a new rainfall record. The deluge prompted minor flooding alerts, and rescue operations were launched to save individuals caught in the storm. As the weather settles, warmer temperatures are anticipated for Wednesday before cold fronts return, keeping the city’s weather unpredictable.
Austin Under the Weather: Potent Rainfall Hits the Area
Howdy, Austin! It’s safe to say that Tuesday marked quite an *eventful day* for the weather in our lovely capital city. We saw a deluge like no other, with rain coming down hard! Reports indicated *rainfall amounts* that flirted between just under an inch and a staggering *3 inches*, which has prompted *flood advisories* for Travis and the nearby counties. The skies didn’t hold back, folks!
Wreaking Havoc with Rainfall Records
By the time the clock struck 2:20 p.m., Camp Mabry was reporting just shy of an inch, while our very own Austin Bergstrom-International Airport was measuring around a *jaw-dropping 2.96 inches*. This *wondrous amount* may just tip the scales and set a new daily rainfall record for February 11, racing past the previous record of 1.8 inches that was etched in the history books way back in 1977. Now that’s a splashy twist in Austin’s weather tale!
According to meteorologists, the rain was more than they bargained for. It turns out that the rainfall *was greater than expected*, all due to a bit of *uncertainty in the meteorological models*. Who would’ve thought our rainy day could be so *dramatic*?
Flood Advisory and Rescue Operations
The flood advisory came in hot, warning of *minor flooding* in low-lying areas and places with poor drainage. Clearly, this kind of weather can stir up “*urban and small stream flooding*.” And, speaking of stirring things up, the Austin Fire Department had their hands full, reporting a heroic rescue of three individuals, along with a poor pup! The quartet was swept downstream while trying to huddle inside their tent in South Austin. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, but what a wild situation to find yourself in!
Minimal road closures were noted, mostly affecting a county road near Brushy Creek in Pflugerville. It seems our transportation systems held up fairly well amidst the chaos. As we moved into Tuesday afternoon, rain and thunder started to ease, but keep your umbrellas handy as more storms could roll in overnight.
Weather Whiplash Ahead
Looking ahead, warmer temperatures and *partly sunny skies* are on the docket for Wednesday, which many of us are looking forward to. However, don’t get too comfortable just yet. A cold front is planning to swoop in, with temperatures dipping down into the *30s by Thursday*. Brrr! But fear not, Valentine’s Day promises to bring a little warmth with highs in the upper *50s*. Just in time for lovebirds to plan their special day!
And wait, there’s more! Saturday is looking quite *pleasurable* with a brief warm spell expected, reaching temperatures in the mid-70s. Then, it’s back to the classic winter-style on Sunday with lows settling into the *low 50s*. So much for keeping things predictable!
Rivers and Lakes: Keeping Track of the Water Levels
Turning our gaze to the Llano River, moderate flooding was reported, resulting in a *flood warning* for the Hill Country. *Flood operations* are underway at Wirtz and Starcke dams to manage the flow. Meanwhile, Lake Travis has surged by a notable *6% over just 48 hours*, with a phenomenal *7-foot rise since midnight on Tuesday*. Nature sure is putting on a show!
While we may be lucky enough to escape heavy rain for the rest of the week, keep an eye out for *scattered showers* and the occasional thunderstorm, which could continue to fuel inflows into the Highland Lakes. So, stay tuned, Austin! You never know what the *weather gods* have in store for us next!
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Additional Resources
- Austin Statesman
- Wikipedia: Rainfall in Austin
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google Search: Austin weather
- Lone Star Live
- Google Scholar: Texas flooding
- CBS Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas weather
- KVUE
- Google News: Lake Travis flooding
