Total solar eclipse crosses over Austin; totality gives way to potential for severe weather tonight, Tuesday

AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Much of Austin and parts of Central Texas were plunged into darkness briefly Monday afternoon as a total solar eclipse crossed over the area, leaving in its wake a potential threat of severe weather Monday afternoon into Tuesday.

While totality lasted less than two minutes in the city of Austin, parts of the Hill Country were treated to more than four minutes of totality. The complete eclipse - from end to end - began at 12:17 p.m. and lasted until just before 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.

In the wake of the eclipse, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms could be possible across much of Central Texas. According to the National Weather Service, all of the Austin metro counties are under a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather - primarily large hail, though an isolated tornado can't be ruled out.

Tuesday, the severe weather risk increases another notch, with all of the Austin metro under a level 3 out of 5, which is known as an "enhanced" risk.

Early Monday afternoon, a tornado watch was in effect just to the east of the Austin area.