Texas Hill Country Under Tornado Watch as Severe Storms Threaten Austin

Forecasters warn of large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes across the region.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the southern Edwards Plateau and western Hill Country of Texas through 10 p.m. Tuesday night. Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop quickly, bringing the threat of large hail, damaging wind gusts, and even a few tornadoes. The Austin area is also under a threat for heavy rainfall as the storms move east later tonight.

Why it matters

This severe weather outbreak comes as the Hill Country and Central Texas region are still recovering from recent flooding and storm damage. The threat of tornadoes and heavy rainfall raises concerns about potential power outages, property damage, and disruptions to daily life for residents in the affected areas.

The details

Forecasters say the primary hazards are large to very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado from the thunderstorms. The tornado watch area includes several counties west of Austin, including Gillespie, Llano, Bandera, and Uvalde. The Storm Prediction Center has assigned a level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather west of the Hill Country, with much of the region under a level 2 risk. This means widespread and more numerous severe storms are possible, with all modes of severe weather on the table.

  • The tornado watch is in effect through 10 p.m. Tuesday night.
  • Storms are expected to initially develop as supercells before organizing into a line along a Pacific cold front moving west to east across the region.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather alerts and warnings.

Storm Prediction Center

A division of the National Weather Service that provides forecasts and risk assessments for severe weather events.

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What they’re saying

“The primary hazards are large to very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado from thunderstorms.”

— National Weather Service (statesman.com)

“Even when storms form into a line and strong wind potential increases, brief tornadoes cannot be ruled out mainly over the southern Edwards Plateau and Hill Country.”

— National Weather Service (statesman.com)

What’s next

The severe weather threat is expected to diminish as the storms move east towards the Interstate 35 corridor later tonight. However, the risk for heavy rainfall and isolated strong storms will continue into Wednesday.

The takeaway

This severe weather outbreak serves as a reminder for residents in the Hill Country and Central Texas to stay vigilant, have a plan in place, and heed any warnings or watches issued by the National Weather Service. Preparedness and quick action can help minimize the impacts of these dangerous storms.