Austin sits within the same “Flash Flood Alley” corridor as San Antonio, where the Balcones Escarpment forces warm, moisture-laden Gulf air upward and can trigger extraordinarily heavy rainfall over the region’s many creeks and the Colorado River running through downtown. The city averages around 870 mm (about 34 inches) of rain a year, but the real danger comes from a handful of extreme events, including catastrophic 2013 and 2015 floods that caught residents and even experienced hikers along local waterways by surprise. Because water levels here can rise from ankle-deep to dangerous in well under an hour, radar tracking of approaching storm cells is treated as a critical, routinely used safety tool. NWS Doppler radar KEWX (Austin/San Antonio) covers the region.
Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Austin right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Austin, Texas in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Austin, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Austin rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Austin?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Texas are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Austin or pass by.
Is this Austin rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.