Why hailstorms in Texas are getting more destructive

Why hailstorms in Texas are getting more destructive

It will probably come as no surprise that hailstorms in Texas are causing more damage than they used to. The size of hailstones also seems to be growing with comparisons to baseballs, softballs, and even cantaloupes, being reported more often year after year. Both are trends that have caused people to wonder whether global warming is to blame. The answer: maybe. But there are also other reasons hailstorms are becoming fiercer. To understand how climate…

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Severe weather risk for Central Texas Sunday evening

Severe weather risk for Central Texas Sunday evening

Not everyone will see rain, but where storms form, some could be strong with wind or hail. AUSTIN, Texas — We hadn’t been active for much of Sunday, but we are now tracking some strong storms making their way through the Hill Country that could eventually reach the I-35 corridor and cause issues for the Austin metro. Timing for this will be around 8-8:30 p.m., before exiting out of the Coastal Plains by 10 p.m. …

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Low-end severe weather risk for Central Texas Sunday evening

Low-end severe weather risk for Central Texas Sunday evening

Not everyone will see rain, but where storms form one or two could be strong with wind or hail. AUSTIN, Texas — It was a fantastic Saturday across Central Texas, but now we’re looking ahead to some changes in our forecast. These changes will include a quick storm chance Sunday evening with the potential for a couple of strong storms, followed by our most promising rain chances in a while, expected on Thursday and Friday…

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Wildfire in San Jacinto Co. remains at 2,000 acres, 20% contained; evacuations in place | Shelters, school closings and more

Wildfire in San Jacinto Co. remains at 2,000 acres, 20% contained; evacuations in place | Shelters, school closings and more

The fire quickly spread with high wind and low humidity. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — An estimated 2,000 acres are burning in a wildfire in San Jacinto County near the Montgomery County line, prompting evacuations and a school district to close. High wind and low humidity provided the fuel the fire needed to quickly spread. According to an update from Texas A&M Forest Service at 9 a.m. Thursday, the Pauline Road Fire in San Jacinto…

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San Jacinto County wildfire grows to 2,420 acres, 20% contained | Evacuations, shelters, Red Flag Warning

San Jacinto County wildfire grows to 2,420 acres, 20% contained | Evacuations, shelters, Red Flag Warning

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,000 acres and is 20% contained, with high winds and low humidity fueling its spread. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,400-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. As of Thursday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported the fire is 20% contained, with air attack…

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One home lost in San Jacinto County wildfire, 45% contained | Evacuations, shelters

One home lost in San Jacinto County wildfire, 45% contained | Evacuations, shelters

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,420 acres and is 20% contained, with high winds and low humidity fueling its spread. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,420-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. One occupied home was lost in San Jacinto County. As of Thursday afternoon, Texas A&M Forest Service…

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1 home lost in San Jacinto County wildfire, 65% contained

1 home lost in San Jacinto County wildfire, 65% contained

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,375 acres and is 65% contained. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,375-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. One possibly occupied home was lost in San Jacinto County along with two other small structures. As of Friday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported the…

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San Jacinto County wildfire now 75% contained

San Jacinto County wildfire now 75% contained

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,375 acres and is 65% contained. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,375-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. One possibly occupied home was lost in San Jacinto County along with two other small structures. As of Friday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported the…

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Austin has had 5 high risk wildfire days this month alone. Why are there so many red flag warnings?

Austin has had 5 high risk wildfire days this month alone. Why are there so many red flag warnings?

As Texas becomes hotter and drier, and urban sprawl grows, the state could see more days with an elevated risk for wildfires. So far this year, Austin has had five of these days, also known as red flag warning days, and all of them have been in March. Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said over the last 20 to 25 years Texas has seen many large wildfires. He said a combination of human activity and…

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As wildfires bring smoke to Central Texas, here's how to stay healthy

As wildfires bring smoke to Central Texas, here's how to stay healthy

According to the U.S. Air Quality Index, March 15 marked the highest level of air pollutants in the past 30 days. AUSTIN, Texas — Recent wildfire smoke and wind gusts have worsened respiratory symptoms for some Austinites. One local physician said more patients are coming into his office worried about air quality-related complications.  A wildfire about 80 miles away in Gillespie County sent plumes of smoke into the area on Saturday afternoon. According to the…

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Air quality dips in Austin as wildfire smoke raises health concerns

Air quality dips in Austin as wildfire smoke raises health concerns

According to the U.S. Air Quality Index, March 15 marked the highest level of air pollutants in the past 30 days. AUSTIN, Texas — Recent wildfire smoke and wind gusts have worsened respiratory symptoms for some Austinites. One local physician said more patients are coming into his office worried about air quality-related complications.  A wildfire about 80 miles away in Gillespie County sent plumes of smoke into the area on Saturday afternoon. According to the…

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Forecast: Wind Advisory Tuesday; Extreme risk for wildfires tomorrow

Forecast: Wind Advisory Tuesday; Extreme risk for wildfires tomorrow

Here are the latest updates from the KVUE Weather Impact Team. AUSTIN, Texas — A Wind Advisory is in effect until 10 PM Tuesday for Llano, Burnet, Williamson, Travis, Milam, Lee, Bastrop, and Caldwell County* Out-the-door conditions will be comfortable on Tuesday in Central Texas, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s areawide. Winds will be gusting out of the south, adding some humidity to the air today. This will be key to our lower…

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9 homes destroyed as crews continue to battle 9,700-acre wildfire near Fredericksburg

9 homes destroyed as crews continue to battle 9,700-acre wildfire near Fredericksburg

As of around 8:30 p.m. Monday, the Crabapple Fire is 85% contained. AUSTIN, Texas — Fire crews in Gillespie County, along with the Texas A&M Forest Service, are continuing to battle a 9,737-acre wildfire north of Fredericksburg that sparked on Saturday afternoon. According to Gillespie County officials, the fire – named the Crabapple Fire – started in the 8700 block of Lower Crabapple Road at around 1 p.m. By 4:20 p.m. Saturday, the fire had…

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New wildfire in Gillespie County prompts evacuations

New wildfire in Gillespie County prompts evacuations

Evacuations are underway in Gillespie County as a new wildfire spreads near I-10 in the area of Duderstadt Road. GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas — Evacuations are underway after a new wildfire sparked in Gillespie County on Monday. According to the Gillespie County Communications Center 911 Emergency Dispatch, the fire is burning off Interstate Highway 10 and traveling north in the area of the 498-mile marker/Duderstadt Road, near Harper. As of around 6:15 p.m. Monday, Duderstadt Road…

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Wildfire risk returns to the "extreme" category for portions of Central Texas Monday

Wildfire risk returns to the "extreme" category for portions of Central Texas Monday

We may not be out of the woods yet when it comes to fire danger, as very high fire danger persists midweek. AUSTIN, Texas — While we continue to track the Crabapple fire in Gillespie County, which has burned over 8,600 acres, we’re expecting fire weather conditions to improve for Sunday. But fire risk will ramp up again as we head into next week. Here’s a day-by-day look at what we’ve got going on. Sunday,…

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