Austin’s Exceptional Dry Spell: When the Fall Rains Failed to Arrive
Central Texas residents hoping for relief from summer’s heat and drought were sorely disappointed this September. What should have marked the beginning of the fall rainy season instead delivered one of the driest Septembers in Austin’s recorded history.
A September to Forget
The numbers tell a stark story. Austin typically receives about 2.94 inches of rain in September, but this year the weather station at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport recorded just 0.08 inches, making it the third driest September ever recorded at that location. Most of that minimal rainfall came in the first few days of the month, leaving the rest of September bone-dry.
The Austin metro area hasn’t seen a drop of rain since September 5, extending the drought well into October. The timing couldn’t be worse—September typically offers a reprieve from summer’s brutal conditions and signals the start of cooler, wetter weather that Central Texans eagerly anticipate.
AUSTIN’S PAST SEPTEMBERS
SEPTEMBER 2025
From Relief to Crisis
The drought’s rapid return is particularly frustrating given the summer’s early promise. After flooding rains in July temporarily filled area lakes and provided much-needed relief, the subsequent six weeks of little to no precipitation have quickly erased those gains. By late September, 88% of Travis County was classified as drier than usual, compared to just 18% in mid-September.
The dry conditions have been accompanied by relentless heat. Temperatures reached into the 90s most days in September and into October, with some days approaching record-breaking highs and running 8 to 10 degrees above normal.
Water Resources Under Pressure
The drought’s impact on Central Texas’s water supply is significant. Lakes Travis and Buchanan, are the region’s chief reservoirs. These Highland Lakes serve as Austin’s primary water source, making their levels a critical concern for the region’s long-term water security.
Both lakes have seen declining levels over the past month. Lake Travis was at 86.3% full a month ago (September 15), and Lake Buchanan was at 96.5% full a month ago. Lake Buchanan is in better shape overall, remaining near its conservation capacity, while Lake Travis still has room to fill before reaching its full conservation level.
Local Response and Restrictions
Austin Water has responded by maintaining strict conservation measures. Austin is currently under Stage 2 Drought Water Use Restrictions, while residents and commercial sites are limited to only one watering day per week. These restrictions reflect the city’s commitment to preserving water resources during this challenging period.
Austin has been proactive in its approach to water conservation. The city adopted permanent, year-round conservation watering restrictions in 2016 that reduced watering with automatic irrigation systems to one day per week, making Austin one of the only cities in the state to do so.
Looking Ahead
Unfortunately, relief may not be coming soon. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicates that hotter and drier than average weather is likely for all of Texas into the winter. This forecast suggests that Central Texas may face an extended dry period, with the drought conditions potentially persisting or worsening in the coming months.
Hotter and drier autumns are becoming more common in Austin and much of the world as global warming accelerates, suggesting that these conditions may represent a new normal rather than a temporary anomaly.
For now, Central Texans are encouraged to continue following water conservation guidelines and to prepare for the possibility that the region’s water challenges may extend well beyond the traditional fall rainy season.
Area residents should also be aware of burn bans in effect due to the lack of rain.
On Tuesday, more than 100 parents signed up to ask questions at an Austin ISD meeting about the future of their children’s schools.
VIEW TUESDAY’S AUSTIN ISD SCHOOL CONSOLIDATIONS Q&A SESSION
Tuesday’s Q&A brought concerns from some parents who say the format makes it harder for them to be heard. (CBS Austin)
Williamson County paid $1.15 million to settle a 2024 lawsuit with former inmate Johnny Tijerina, who alleged jailers broke his leg and fractured his hip without provocation, then denied him medical care for hours while he was in a restraining chair. (Austin Anerican-Statesman)
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office has moved to dismiss some charges against Austin mortuary director Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui and medical facility CEO Aaron Ashoka Ali, who were accused of “experimenting” on corpses. Bui, 50, still faces five charges of tampering with government records.
Cedar Park police arrested a bus driver for Leander ISD on charges of indecency with a child.
A bizarre string of break-ins at a Northeast Austin strip mall left three businesses damaged and one out of thousands of dollars.
Austin police have released more information about the arrest of a murder suspect accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend last week.
Authorities are also asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating a suspect in an aggravated assault case last month.
Austin Police Oversight shared its yearly report from 2024, detailing complaints and department responses.
Texas DPS announced the arrests of three wanted fugitives in two separate cases.
CHICKEN DINNER…NO WINNER
A Travis County corrections officer has been fired after supplying an inmate with fried chicken wings in exchange for cash, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. (Austin American-Statesman)
BREAKFAST SAUSAGE?
From the Mustang Ridge Police Department:
After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas cities to remove ‘political ideologies’ from streets — including displays like Austin’s rainbow crosswalks and the ‘Black Artists Matter’ road mural — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is asking Austin to get creative. (KXAN-TV)
Meanwhile, during a demonstration Monday over Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s order directing cities to remove ‘political ideologies’ from streets, someone took a bucket of red paint and tossed it onto a rainbow crosswalk at 4th and Colorado Street.
The popular but financially beleaguered nightclub Cheer Up Charlies has been sold to an investment firm focused on LGBTQ+ entertainment properties. The deal will keep the club open and allow its current owners to maintain control. (KUT 90.5)
Police in some Texas cities get a heads up before ICE raids and arrests. Austin is not one of them. (KUT 90.5)
A U.S. district court temporarily halted the University of Texas System’s enforcement of a new free speech law, siding with students who say its limits are overly broad and restrictive.
Some Austin City Council members are speaking out about Proposition Q.
Austin is set to see more visitors and heavier traffic as the U.S. Grand Prix is heading to the Circuit of the Americas this upcoming weekend.
From Austin Business Journal.
Williamson County crews are making progress clearing debris from July’s devastating floods.
WEATHER
TUESDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a progressive Democrat and former Austin school board member, joined the race for governor on Wednesday, accusing Gov. Greg Abbott of being beholden to big money donors and vowing to fight corruption.
Texas’ upcoming school voucher program is on track for an application launch as early as February for participating families, according to the state’s $52 million contract with finance and technology company Odyssey.
Private schools interested in joining the program will be able to apply even sooner, with that process slated to begin before the end of the year. The details were revealed in the contract, which Texas’ chief financial officer recently awarded to the New York-based firm to design and manage the program. (Texas Tribune)
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Community Capital Partners, LP as part of an ongoing investigation into CCP’s real estate development, EPIC City. The development, near Josephine, Texas, is affiliated with the East Plano Islamic Center. (Texas Attorney General)
In this week’s episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Tribune reporter Kayla Guo to break down the evidence in the Robert Roberson death penalty case.
A joint legislative committee has been formed to investigate the deadly July 4th flooding in Texas that killed 130 people, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic. Lawmakers will examine what went wrong and how to better prepare for future emergencies.
Lee County school officials are investigating a bomb threat that was sent via email.
Two owners of a Houston mortuary are facing criminal charges after authorities discovered the bodies of a dozen deceased people decomposing in what investigators described as “inhumane conditions.” (Houston Chronicle)
SPORTS
NHL: Make it three in a row to start the 2025-2026 season for the Dallas Stars.
Wyatt Johnston scored on a power play to extend his season-opening goal streak to three games, Jake Oettinger stopped 39 shots and the Dallas Stars won their home opener 5-2 over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.
The Stars are 3-0 in Glen Gulutzan’s return as their head coach. This is only the third time since moving to Dallas before the 1993-94 season for them to score at least three goals in each of their first three games, and they have now won their last six home openers. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Texas confirmed Tuesday that running back Jerrick Gibson and kicker Will Stone have left the team. Both are expected to enter the transfer portal. (Austin American-Statesman via MSN)
Texas Football Looks to Ride Momentum After OU | LIVE | 10/15/25
Today, we’re heading to West Texas to visit Fort Davis.
