LIVE BLOG: Strong storms moving out of Austin and into eastern counties
CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — As severe weather moves into the Central Texas area, KXAN's First Warning Weather Team is tracking storms.
A cold front is expected to bring a line of fast-moving thunderstorms that may be strong to severe overnight. Storms are expected to arrive in the Hill Country between 1 and 5 a.m., the Austin metro area between 4 and 7 a.m. and counties east of Interstate 35 from 6 and 9 a.m.
6:30 AM - The strongest of the storms now heading into Fayette County. Expect moderate to heavy rain with gusty winds around 30 to 40 MPH.
Rain has ended in the Hill Country while light to moderate rain is still falling along the I-35 corridor, but will be coming to an end within the next hour or so.
6:00 AM - Strong storms continue to move out of the Austin metro and into the Eastern Counties. Latest indications from the radar show that storms are beginning to weaken slightly. Expect moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds of around 35 to 45 MPH as storms continue to progress to the east.
The Severe Thunderstorm Watch that was in effect for the Austin metro has been allowed to expire, but still remains in effect for counties to the east of I-35.
5:30 AM - The leading edge of the strongest storms has pushed through most of the Austin metro and is now heading into the Eastern Counties. Winds have gusted near 40 MPH.
5:00 AM - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for portions of Hays and Blanco counties until 5:45 AM for storms producing winds up to 55 MPH.
Radar update shows the line of storms lining up right along the I-35 corridor, including the City of Austin.
Storms are moving into the northern suburbs of Williamson County.
4:45 AM - The line of strong storms is moving into the Austin metro. Winds are estimated at around 40 MPH along the leading edge of storms moving into northwest Austin along with frequent lightning and heavy rain.
4:30 AM - The line of storms is continuing to march southeast at around 35 MPH. No severe storm warnings, but the storms will be in the Austin metro within the next half hour.
Still no severe weather warnings, but gusty winds and small hail are possible.
4:15 AM - The National Weather Service has expanded the Severe Thunderstorm Watch that now includes Travis and Hays counties as well as all Central Texas counties to the east of I-35.
The main threats with this line of storms is strong winds and small hail are possible. Still no severe weather warnings.
4:00 AM - The line of storms continues to move to the southeast at around 35 MPH. This will put the storms in the northwest suburbs of Austin around 4:30 AM.
Still no severe weather warnings. Burnet, Llano, Lampasas and Williamson counties remain under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8:00 AM.
3:30 AM - Storms continue to move into the Hill Country. The National Weather Service is indicating that estimated hail size of less than 0.25" (penny size, non-severe) is being reported in the strongest storms currently over northern Llano county.
3:00 AM - A line of non-severe storms is moving into the Hill Country. As the line of storms continue to move toward the I-35 corridor, our latest hi-res model indicates it's possible the storms will tap into a slightly more conducive atmosphere than what is over the Hill Country, meaning storms could briefly strengthen.
Confidence is high on the passing of the storms through the Austin metro at around 5:00 AM.
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