Severe storms expected to hit parts of Texas late Sunday. Here's where.
Shown is the future radar across Texas at 9 p.m. Sunday (left) as well as 3 a.m. Monday (right). (Pivotal Weather)
Severe thunderstorms are not common in Texas during August, but they can absolutely still happen from time to time. And as we head into this evening, weather models are showing that several storms could turn severe, mainly across the western side of the state.
While there is still some model uncertainty, a few storms could dive southeastward toward the Texas Hill Country and Interstate 35 corridor overnight and into Monday. Here's the latest on the severe weather, and a look at what we can expect locally across South-Central Texas.
San Antonio's Sunday forecast
It'll be a muggy, but relatively pleasant start to the day Sunday across South Texas. Early morning low temperatures will hover in the upper 70s in San Antonio, but we'll heat up quickly under mostly sunny skies.
You can expect to already hit 90 degrees by 11 a.m., likely near 95 degrees by 1 p.m. Afternoon high temperatures will top out near 100 degrees, which is 3 degrees above the climate-normal for early August.
Shown are the expected heat index values at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon. (Pivotal Weather)
It's going to feel even hotter, though. First, wind speeds are only going to come in at around 5 mph, offering little to no breeze. Additionally, humidity levels will be very high, causing heat index values to reach up to 107 degrees.
With levels of heat this high, heat exhaustion or heat stroke can set in within minutes. If you have any outdoor plans, be sure to stay properly hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothing, and take frequent breaks away from the sun.
It's possible that a few isolated showers or weak storms could pop-up during the afternoon and evening, offering some relief from the heat. However, rainfall coverage will only be around 10% across South Texas.
Severe storms develop late
West Texas: Parts of West Texas and the panhandle are under the greatest risk of severe thunderstorms, including cities like Abilene, Lubbock, Midland, and Amarillo. This region is under a Level 2 of 5 risk of severe storms, according to the Storm Prediction Center. A few storms will likely be capable of large hail and damaging wind gusts, along with a small tornado threat. The highest chance of severe storms is expected between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Shown is the Storm Prediction Center's outlook for Sunday, August 3. (Storm Prediction Center)
North Texas: Another cluster of strong to severe storms may develop near the Texas-Oklahoma border late Sunday night, and they'll move south into parts of North Texas overnight and into early Monday. Hail and damaging winds will be possible as far east as the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which is under a Level 1 of 5 risk of severe weather.
Hill Country and I-35 corridor: The risk of severe weather will decrease as we move south. That being said, there is still chance of thunderstorms in parts of the Hill Country and I-35 corridor by early Monday morning. Overall rain chances are about 20 to 30% throughout the region.
Hot weather this week
Another wave of thunderstorms may develop by Monday afternoon and evening as well, across Central and South Texas. Overall rain chances will be about 20 to 30% in San Antonio, and a few storms could become strong to severe. Otherwise, high pressure is expected to strengthen, leading to a hot and mostly dry week in South Texas.
From Monday through Friday, San Antonio is likely to experience high temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, while morning low temperatures will hover in the mid- to upper 70s each day.
