Weather

Of all the tips on how to protect your dogs this summer, Austin veterinarian Kacey Joseph has one big one: “Avoid the midday walk.”

Meteorologists are forecasting another hot summer, though it may not be as bad as some recent scorchers.

Austin's oppressive summer heat is back. The earlier-than-usual wave of triple-digit temperatures prompted the city to open up cooling centers this week.

As the Earth warms, Austin has been experiencing hotter temperatures earlier in the year. A heat wave this week could break the record for hottest day recorded in the month of May.

A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of Lee and Williamson counties until 5 p.m. A tornado watch also remains in effect for parts of Central Texas until 4 p.m.

People across the Austin area could see heavy rains, hail, damaging winds and even isolated tornadoes every day through Thursday.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for parts of Central Texas until 10 p.m., including in Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties.

A tornado touched down in Burnet County in the afternoon, the county's office of emergency management said.

One day in March recorded five of the top 10 strongest wind gusts in Austin since 1998.

Hailstorms seem to be happening more frequently and the hail appears to be getting bigger. But the reasons for this might not be as obvious as you think.