Thunderstorms might be brief but potent out there across Central Texas today -- please stay aware of the weather!

Ahead of the front, we're still running warm and muggy with some patchy fog during the morning hours. Thanks to abundant humidity, a range of mid to upper 80s could feel like some 90s around midday.

It's a much better 80 percent chance for showers and storms overall, but mostly for the afternoon to early evening hours as a cold front sweeps through the region. The strongest storms could potentially contain sizable hail and damaging storm winds.

Current Conditions | Satellite & Radar | 7 Day Forecast | Allergy

Our in-house computer model shows the first storms blossoming in the Hill Country around 2 p.m., moving southeast towards Austin by 5 to 6 p.m. The rain should all be out of the area by 9 o'clock or so.

The three primary ingredients for rain -- moisture, instability, and uplift -- are more abundant today and the atmosphere is ripe for severe weather. The Capital City is in NOAA's "slight risk" zone for severe storms, and there's an "enhanced" risk from our southeastern communities (Lockhart and Smithville) extending down towards the coast.

We're looking forward to a cooler, drier breeze from the north that'll feel quite refreshing by tonight, with temps dropping back to lows in the rural 50s to near 60 in the metro to start out our Friday. The forecast calls for a much lower 30 percent rain chance to close out the week, with highs only in the low 70s at the warmest.

All week long, we've been watching a large Pacific disturbance near California and it's going to start accelerating towards Texas.  Models show it crossing just to the north of our area by Saturday, with a 60 percent rain/storm chance here at home during the first half of the weekend. Plan for daytime 70s.

Then sunshine returns just in time for Easter Sunday, with high temps then closer to 80 degrees.

We think another cold front will arrive Monday but, as of now, without any rainfall.

How should you prepare for a storm event?

First off, we invite you to check in with us often on 'Weather on the 1s' for the very latest from our expert team of meteorologists.

Second, park your car under a carport or in a garage to avoid possible hail damage. We recommend you also bring in your pets and plants before storms arrive. When you hear thunder roar, that's your cue to head indoors.

And make sure that, no matter what, you have a way to get weather alerts when they are issued.

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Be safe!!
--Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons (@Burton_Spectrum)