Central Texas Bakes Under Excessive Heat Warning This Weekend
Austin and the surrounding Hill Country are enduring the hottest stretch of the summer, with the National Weather Service warning that today will bring highs near 107°F and heat index values as high as 110°F.
A Heat Advisory has been in place since Thursday, covering the I-35 corridor, the northern Hill Country, and the coastal plains — including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Bexar, and several other counties — and it doesn’t lift until 7 p.m. this evening.
Saturday’s heat index climbed even higher, reaching 110°F as the return of Gulf moisture layered humidity on top of already-scorching air temperatures. Forecasters expect little relief into the workweek, with highs holding in the 104–105°F range through at least Wednesday.
Local officials are urging residents to take the warning seriously.
The City of Austin recommends staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, and checking on elderly neighbors or those without reliable air conditioning.
Cooling centers are open at Austin Public Library and Parks and Recreation facilities for anyone needing a break from the heat, and residents are reminded that these are day-use spaces rather than overnight shelters.
“All Austin Public Library and Austin Parks facilities can serve as a Cooling Center during normal operating hours. Service animals are permitted in City facilities. Check hours of operation before arriving. Please monitor local news for up-to-date weather information and visit ReadyCentralTexas.org on how to be prepared for summer weather.”
Heat remains the deadliest weather hazard in Texas most years, and this summer has already produced an unusually high number of advisories and warnings across Central Texas. With little rain in the forecast and high pressure locked in place, meteorologists say the pattern isn’t likely to break until a possible shift in weather arrives later in the week.
Sources:
- National Weather Service, Austin/San Antonio Forecast Office — forecast.weather.gov
- FOX 7 Austin, “Austin weather: Heat Advisory to be in effect through the weekend” (Aug. 20, 2026)
- KXAN Austin, “Heat Advisory issued for several days, humid for now”
- City of Austin, Ready Central Texas — Heat Awareness, austintexas.gov
MORE ON THE AREA’S EXCESSIVE HEAT, REGIONAL WILDFIRES AND THE COMPLETE FORECAST CAN ALL BE FOUND FURTHER DOWN THIS POST IN WEATHER.
No flights ever been delayed or canceled at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport due to extreme heat. (Austin American-Statesman)
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Thousands of revelers packed Congress Avenue in downtown Austin last night as the 36th annual Austin Pride Parade lit up the summer darkness, with marchers and neon-lit floats pushing through lingering evening heat under this year’s theme, “Viva la Resistencia.”
Austin Park Rangers and Travis County authorities say a stray bull has been seen lingering around an undeveloped area of Bolm District Park.
Caldwell County officials investigated an illegal burn Saturday morning where they discovered metal, concrete and treated lumber burning in violation of the county’s burn ban.
The Texas A&M Forest Service is tracking four wildfires in the state this morning. One is a large 1,300-acre blaze in Motley County.
Another smaller fire in Motley County…
Two others in North Texas, one in Rusk County and the other in Parker County.
WEATHER
…EXTREME HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT SUNDAY… …HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM SUNDAY TO 7 PM CDT WEDNESDAY…
- WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 107 and heat index values up to 110 are expected Sunday afternoon. Temperatures up to 105 are expected Monday through Wednesday.
- WHERE…Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson Counties.
- WHEN…For the Extreme Heat Warning, until 7 PM CDT Sunday. For the Heat Advisory, from 7 PM Sunday to 7 PM CDT Wednesday.
- IMPACTS…Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
The high temperature record at the airport was broken Saturday with 107 degrees, besting the old record of 105 degrees set just two years ago in 2024.
AUSTIN-BERGSTROMM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Yesterday’s 107 reading at Camp Mabry tied the record from 2024.
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A judge has denied Karmelo Anthony’s request for a new trial in the murder of Austin Metcalf after his new defense team called for it in the wake of his conviction earlier this summer.
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(Episode from August 21, 2026)
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Governor Abbott’s audit of proposed data center projects is putting a spotlight on water use, power demand, tax incentives, and local impacts. Matt Grant examines the growing pushback from residents and elected officials, the calls for stronger guardrails, and how Texas is grappling with balancing AI-driven growth against concerns from communities hosting these facilities.
Landowners are escalating their battle against a proposed network of high-voltage transmission lines by urging Governor Abbott to call a special session. Eric Henrikson reports on the latest effort to stop the project, the concerns property owners are raising, and why the controversy is becoming one of the most closely watched infrastructure fights in Texas.
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ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard died Monday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, at the age of 77, just weeks after leaving The Big One! Tour due to an unspecified illness. Three tour dates were cancelled after Beard’s death.
Last night, Billy Gibbons and company resumed the tour in Austin.
“So I guess some of you probably know, there’s a new man in town. But we’re all here for a celebration, you know what’s going on. So we’re gonna have a good time.” — ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC played to a 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union on Saturday night at Q2 Stadium.
The teams traded goals from corner kicks in the first half. Philadelphia opened the scoring through Cavan Sullivan in the 18th minute, but the Verde & Black responded only three minutes later when Brendan Hines-Ike powered in a header from Joseph Rosales’ cross.
Despite the early scoring, and further chances for both clubs throughout the remainder of the match, it ended all square with each side taking home one point. (Austin FC)
ON THE SCHEDULE
It’s back to Leagues Cup play Wednesday night across the border.
NFL: The Dallas Cowboys rolled to a 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale on Saturday night, with backup quarterback Joe Milton throwing two touchdown passes and running for a score in his second straight impressive preseason effort. Milton completed 69.2% of his passes for 179 yards with two scores and no interceptions for a 151.4 passer rating, keeping Dallas unbeaten this preseason and turning up the heat in the battle for the No. 2 quarterback job behind Dak Prescott, who sat out the game. (Associated Press)
PRESEASON GAME 3 – AUGUST 28
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Both teams conclude their respective series this afternoon.
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In 1951, a 103-year old man named J. Frank Dalton died in Granbury, Texas, claiming with his last breath that he was actually Jesse James, and that the outlaw’s death in 1882 had been faked. His gravestone in Granbury still reads Jesse Woodson James, with the words “supposedly killed in 1882” carved right underneath.
