The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Austin area until 4 p.m. The advisory warns of 30 mph winds, with wind gusts up to 40 mph. As the cold front moves through south central Texas, winds are expected to gradually die down throughout the evening.
The windy weather has also elevated the fire weather warnings to near-critical conditions across central Texas, increasing the possibilities for more fires to break out in the area. Austin has already dealt with a grass fire, which occurred along Mopac near 45th Street Friday.
For those who don’t mind braving the chilly, windy weather, Austin’s 9th annual Cave Festival is taking place today to kick off Groundwater Awareness Week. The festival aims to educate local residents about cave preservation and the importance of the aquifer and its recharge features.
The festival takes place at the Village of Western Oaks Karst Preserve from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include booths, tours, activities and prizes.
Groundwater issues have also been prevalent in the legislature recently. Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay) introduced a bill in January regarding ownership rights the groundwater beneath a landowner’s property. This issue is currently pending before the Texas Supreme Court.
Here are more groundwater-related bills: HB 2311, SB 1148, HB 2166, SB 1082.
Also happening today, the Texas Nationalist Movement is holding a Line in the Sand rally on the capitol’s south steps. The rally marks the 175th anniversary of William Barret Travis drawing a line in the sand at the Alamo. Rally attendees plan to draw a line in the sand for the Texas Legislature at 1 p.m. and details about the event can be found here.
