Multiple rounds of storms ahead: Timing and dangers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Much needed rain is on the way to Central Texas, but severe weather and flash flooding are possible in the next few days.

Timing:

TWO rounds of more widespread storms and heavy rain look likely:

• ROUND 1: Monday evening through Tuesday morning
• ROUND 2: Tuesday late afternoon through Wednesday early afternoon

Isolated showers and storms may develop outside of these rounds, but this appears to be when the majority of us get soaking rainfall.

Our rainfall chances over the next few days highlight the fact that more rain comes at night than during the day.

Severe weather risk

The Storm Prediction Center has much of Central Texas at a level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk late Monday into early Tuesday.

While the main concerns are for large hail and damaging winds Monday evening into Tuesday morning, there is also a low-end tornado threat.

A similar 2 out of 5 severe weather risk is in place for Tuesday into Wednesday morning for most of Central Texas, including the Austin metro area.

Flash flooding risk

Although Central Texas is dealing with worsening drought, too much rain too quickly can cause flash flooding, especially in urban areas.

The Weather Prediction Center has most of Central Texas at a level 2 out of 4 flash flooding risk from Monday afternoon through early Tuesday morning.

The flash flood risk is lower Tuesday into early Wednesday morning for most of us (Level 1 out of 4), but some of our eastern counties are in a higher 2 out of 4 risk.

Rainfall forecast

Central Texas needs rain. Even with the downpours that got many of us wet Saturday night, we're still dealing with one of the driest Mays on record.

If we didn't get any more rain the rest of the month this May would be among the driest on record.

Overall a widespread 1-4 inches of rain is expected Monday through Wednesday, but isolated 5-6 inch amounts are possible.

The Hill Country rainfall forecast amounts have dropped a little bit unfortunately with ROUND 1 bringing the most rain west of I-35 with ROUND 2 bringing the heaviest rain east of I-35.

Here's the 7-day rainfall forecast from the National Weather Service.

Should several storms "train" over the same areas again and again then localized higher amounts will be possible anywhere.

Stay with the First Warning Weather Team