It’s no trick: Austin to be treated to rainy Wednesday, then bone-chilling Halloween

Trick-or-treaters terror-stricken by the thought of icy temperatures in Austin are in for a frightening forecast ahead of Halloween.

Thursday’s expected low temperature of 34 degrees would tie the reading on All Hallows’ Eve in 1993, the coldest night ever recorded for the holiday in Austin, the National Weather Service says. If the forecast calling for a daytime high of 54 degrees holds up, this year’s Halloween could be the second-coldest ever.

“Be aware that it’s going to be chilly,” said Yvette Benavides, a meteorologist with the weather service. “We’re not looking at freezing temperatures (in Austin) at this time, but it’ll be close.”

Parents may not only want to sew some last-minute sleeves to their kids’ costumes, but also grab an umbrella if their Halloween festivities kick off early. A 90% chance of thunderstorms is expected all day Wednesday with a 20% chance of rain stretching into Thursday morning, forecasters say.

The city of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is monitoring the storm and, if temperatures reach below 35 degrees with wet conditions, shelters will open for those living on the streets. People needing a place to stay should meet at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless or the Salvation Army Center where they will be bused to the shelter.

If conditions are dry, shelters will open if temperatures dip below 32 degrees.

Temperatures on Wednesday are likely to reach only 61 degrees before plunging to an overnight low of 39, according to the weather service.

Troy Kimmel, meteorologist and University of Texas lecturer, also warned of the possibility of thunderstorms, lighting and hail.

“Those storms are going to allow for a very strong cold front to push through between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday,” Kimmel said. “Windy and colder weather will begin to shut off the rain. I expect the clouds to break early Halloween.”

Last year, trick-or-treaters collected candy in temperatures as warm as 81 degrees. The warmest Halloween on record, though, was in 2003 when daytime temperatures got as high as 90 degrees and overnight lows stayed above 75.

After clouds clear up by Halloween morning, skies should remain mostly sunny throughout the otherwise chilly day, according to the weather service. North winds at 15 to 20 mph could include gusts as strong as 25 mph.

Kimmel said parts of the Hill Country west of Austin could experience freezing temperatures Thursday night.

The National Weather Service’s extended forecast says temperatures will remain cool throughout the weekend, but eventually warming up again with daytime highs in the 70s by Monday.

“Temperatures will continue to be below average as the cold temperatures hold on for a little while,” Kimmel said. “The thing I’m most confident about is we’ll end up with a few inches of rain and it will be much colder Wednesday night, Thursday and Friday.”