Austin, Texas – Severe thunderstorms could sweep across more than 50 Texas counties Friday afternoon, bringing large hail, damaging winds, and the risk of power outages until at least 8 p.m. CDT. Areas from San Antonio to Waco and east toward Houston should prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions and possible storm-related disruptions.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 212 covers parts of central, southeast, and eastern Texas, including Travis, Harris, Bexar, Bell, and Williamson counties. Thunderstorms in the region may produce wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, hail up to 2 inches in diameter, and isolated flash flooding in low-lying areas. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.
Cities under threat include Austin, San Antonio, College Station, Temple, and Brenham. Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, avoid driving through flooded roads, and stay weather-aware as conditions may change quickly. Emergency officials recommend charging electronic devices and preparing for short-term outages, particularly in rural and suburban zones.
This is part of a broader severe weather pattern moving east across Texas through Friday night. Additional watches or warnings may be issued as storms develop. Stay tuned to local alerts and NOAA Weather Radio for the latest updates.
