A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the western portions of SE TX until 10:00pm

Radar shows a cluster of severe thunderstorms currently moving through the Austin area heading for Bastrop with additional storms developing SW toward San Antonio. Activity appears to have more of and easterly movement than the expected southeast motion which may allow storms to approach closer to the I-45 corridor this evening.

Air mass is becoming unstable over the region with ongoing surface heating having pushed temperatures into the lower to mid 90’s. Visible satellite images show towering cumulus clouds along I-10 between Sealy and Columbus and recently radar is starting to show some echo return in the area. This appears to be some sort of low level boundary left over from the activity yesterday and as temperatures have warmed it is starting to activate and focus development.

Severe risk will be possible through the evening hours…and will expand it a bit eastward to along and SW of a line from College Station to Katy to Galveston. Although the Houston metro area is not in the watch, storms to the west will need to be monitored closely considering the more current eastward motions.

Main severe threat will be large hail…already reported around Austin…and if storms grow into a line over time damaging winds.