Austin’s Weather: A Masterclass in Teasing Us With False Hope

Finally, a weekend where the sky isn’t actively trying to drown us. After weeks of rain that turned our manicured lawns into swamps and our driveways into slip ‘n’ slides, Mother Nature has decided to grace us with a dry weekend. How generous. Of course, she couldn’t resist throwing in a few isolated showers just to keep us on our toes—because nothing says "summer fun" like scrambling for cover at an outdoor event while your $12 artisanal popsicle melts into a puddle of regret.

But fear not, Austinites! The weather gods have decreed that we shall endure only near-average temperatures this weekend. That’s right, a balmy 97 degrees—just enough to make you question every life choice that led you to attend an outdoor musical in Zilker Park. And don’t forget the humidity, which will ensure you feel like you’re wrapped in a warm, damp towel for the entire evening. Ah, the joys of summer.

Meanwhile, the drought update is a rollercoaster of emotions. Remember when we were all clutching our pearls over the severe drought? Well, surprise! The heavens opened up, dumped six inches of rain on us, and now Travis County is practically a rainforest. Southern Travis County is still holding out, though, clinging to its drought status like that one neighbor who refuses to take down their Christmas lights until March. Stay strong, Hays County line. We believe in you.

And for those of you who enjoy staring at the sky (presumably while sipping an overpriced cold brew), meteor shower season is upon us. The Southern Delta Aquariids are here to dazzle us with up to 25 meteors per hour—assuming, of course, that the light pollution from the new high-rise condos doesn’t blot them out entirely. The Alpha Capricornids, meanwhile, are the divas of the meteor world: slow, dramatic, and rare. Perfect for those who appreciate a celestial spectacle with a side of pretension.

So grab your sunscreen, your reusable water bottle (because hydration is so in right now), and your patience. It’s going to be a weekend of almost perfect weather, almost no drought, and almost enough meteors to make you forget about the fact that your car’s AC is on its last legs. Welcome to summer in Austin, where the weather is as unpredictable as the line at Franklin Barbecue.