Rain chances return to Austin: Storms on Halloween could make trick-or-treating damp

After three months of minimal rain in Austin, precipitation is set to return this week, though experts warn it won't have a drought-busting effect.

The best chances for storm activity will come Thursday and Friday, potentially dampening Halloween trick-or-treating, though only about a half-inch of rain is expected, said Emily Heller, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. The last time it rained substantially was nearly three months ago, on Aug. 4, when Camp Mabry saw nearly an inch of rain. Camp Mabry recorded about a tenth of an inch Oct. 18. In total, it has rained four days in the past three months, weather records show.

"While there are (rain) chances every day (this week), it's not going to be a substantial amount of rain, and it's going to be rather hit or miss," Heller said. "I wouldn't expect rain every day, and if you do see it, it's not going to be any drought buster."

A weak cold front at the end of the week will also bring lower temperatures. Daytime highs will be in the upper 80s from Monday to Wednesday before dropping into the low 80s Thursday and Friday. Overnight lows will range from low 70s to high 60s.

Austin's five-day weather forecast

Monday

∙ High: 88

∙ Low: 66

∙ Partly cloudy skies and breezy conditions, with some wind gusts up to 26 mph.

Tuesday

∙ High: 87

∙ Low: 71

∙ Partly cloudy skies and slight changes for rain from midmorning to late morning.

Wednesday

∙ High: 89

∙ Low: 73

∙ Chances for showers and thunder from early morning until evening hours.

Thursday

∙ High: 83

∙ Low: 72

∙ Storm activity possible throughout the day, into the evening.

Friday

∙ High: 83

∙ Low: 69

∙ Chances for showers throughout the day, with the highest probability in the early afternoon.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Rain chances return to Austin: Storms on Halloween could make trick-or-treating damp