Austin Temperature Hits 96 Degrees, Matching Record Set In 1925

AUSTIN, TX — The dog days of summer have arrived early. With roughly over a month until summer begins on June 21, the temperature in Austin reached a high of 96 degrees Thursday afternoon — the hottest day on record for the city since 93 years ago in 1925.

The National Weather Service was prompted to issue a so-called hazardous weather conditions warning for the region in light of the extreme heat. Wednesday's high hit 97 degrees, which is the hottest day so far in 2018.

The hazardous weather conditions alert covers a wide swath of Central and South Texas other than Travis County, including Williamson County where Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock are located. Other counties covered in the alert are: Atascosa; Bandera; Bastrop; Bexar; Blanco; Burnet; Caldwell; Comal; DeWitt; Dimmot; Edwards; Fayette; Frio; Gillespie; Gonzales; Guadalupe; Hays; Kendall; Kerr; Kinney; Lavaca; Lee; Llano; Maverick; Medina; Real; Uvalde; Val Verde; Wilson; Val Verde; and Zavala.

A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent, or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property, and people need to take protective action.

Beyone Austin, the National Weather Service said Friday afternoon's status will be elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions that could develop along the Rio Grande Valley as breezy south winds combine with low relative humidity.

The temperature will drop precipitously by Thursday night, with a low of around 70 expected by nightfall, according to forecasters. Wind will be negligible between five miles per hour and 10 miles per hour. Friday is expected to be hot again, with a high near 96 degrees but with a heat index that will make it feel like 99 degrees. Winds on Friday will blow at speeds between five miles per hour and 15 miles per hour. The low temperature for tomorrow will be 73 degrees, with winds blowing at the same velocity as during the day.

Saturday will be another scorcher, with the high temperature expected to reach 98 degrees. Wind gusts could reach 20 miles per hour on that day. By Saturday night, the temp will dip down to a more tolerable 73 degrees with gentle winds of up to 15 miles per hour.

Sunday will be comparatively cooler with a high of 91 degrees expected. The day also brings with it a chance of heat-mitigating rain, albeit at a mere 20 percent chance. It will be mostly cloudy on Sunday, with a low around 72 degrees.

Try to stay cool, wear a hat and drink plenty of water in the coming days to keep yourself hydrated.

>>> Image via National Weather Service