Austin is on the cusp of transitioning from scorching summer temperatures to the milder conditions of fall, as reported by the National Weather Service. A cold front, expected to arrive on Wednesday, will likely usher in thunderstorms and reduce daytime temperatures to the low 90s. By Friday, morning temperatures are anticipated to dip into the high 60s, providing relief that should persist and signal the arrival of autumn.
Although meteorologists foresee a fall season slightly warmer and drier than the average, it is not expected to mirror the oppressive conditions of previous years. Last October set records for being the hottest and driest over the last century in Austin. National Weather Service meteorologist Mack Morris recalled the relentless heat of last year, with October temperatures consistently hitting the 90s. Fortunately, this year’s relatively mild summer — marked by only 11 hours of triple-digit temperatures compared to 270 hours in 2023 — hints at a more forgiving fall season.
This shift in weather aligns with the autumnal equinox, which marks the period when day and night are nearly equal in duration worldwide. Although the equinox occurred on Monday, Austin will experience an almost perfect balance of daylight on Friday, with sunrise at 7:21 a.m. and sunset at 7:22 p.m. As the days grow shorter, the potential for vibrant fall foliage increases, though local trees still need the right mix of rainfall and cooler weather to achieve peak color.
Despite recent summer flooding, parts of western Travis County remain abnormally dry and eastern Travis County is experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions. However, the potential for a vivid leaf season remains, with smokymountains.com predicting that fall foliage in Austin will peak around mid-November. These seasonal changes bring hope for a picturesque autumn in the Texas capital.