More wet weather ahead

Forecasters are expecting another round of wet weather in Austin on Saturday.

Storms will roll in from the west, bringing with them the threat of damaging winds and hail. National Weather Service meteorologist Orlando Bermudez said the rain headed to the Austin area is part of a Pacific cold front, which will reach the Interstate 35 corridor around noon Saturday with a line of thunderstorms.

Forecasters have put rain chances at 70% during the day and 20% at night.

Bermudez said he expects about ½ to 2 inches of rain will fall, with the Austin metro area under the gun for some of the higher rainfall totals.

However, he said the greater threat will be the strong, damaging winds that will likely accompany the storms — some gusts could top 60 mph — and hail about an inch in diameter.

"We've got about a six-hour time frame from noon to 6 p.m. that will be the window where we will see the threat for the severe weather," Bermudez said. "With the amount of rain that we are forecasting now, I would say that there is always a flood risk because of the moist soils and saturated grounds. But as of right now, with the amount that we are forecasting, we are not looking to see widespread flooding."

The Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages the Highland Lakes, ceased all flood control operations on Friday after two weeks of heavy rain that filled the lakes and rivers. The Austin Fire Department has lifted the waterway ban at all Austin lakes and rivers, which are now open for recreational and commercial use. Barton Springs Pool also has reopened after being closed for two weeks after flooding.

Though Saturday's rain is part of a cold front, Bermudez said the temperature in Austin won't drop much — the high is forecast at 82 degrees — but rain and clouds will keep things cooler than normal.

Sunday is expected to be much warmer with no rain, sunny skies and a high of 91 degrees, the weather service said. Similar conditions are forecast for Monday.

The break from rain won't last long, though, with another storm system expected to blow through the Austin area Tuesday, when forecasters have put rain chances at 40%.