Travis, Williamson Counties Under Wind Advisory

AUSTIN, TX — A wind advisory is in effect for much of the region — including Travis and Williamson counties — until 6 p.m. with gusts expected to reach as high as 40 mph, according to forecasters.

The National Weather Service implemented the wind advisory to be in effect starting at 9 a.m. Other counties covered in the advisory are Bastrop, Fayette, Lavaca and Lee, according to the advisory notice.

While benign-sounding, such wind gusts could lead to situations that are frustrating at best and precarious at worst. Residents are urged to secure outdoor furniture and other objects that could blow away in the wind. Drivers are urged to take extra precautions under such windy conditions. Wind gusts also have been blamed for power outages and falling tree limbs. At worst, sparks from improperly disposed cigarettes or outdoor burning could lead to fires.

Concern for the latter is heightened given the lifting of burn bans by some area communities. After rainfall ended a recent dry streak, for example, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell lifted a previously implemented burn ban at the end of December. Despite the lifting of outdoor burning restrictions, residents are advised to be extra careful amid wind gusts should they partake in outdoor burn bans.

On a better front (pun intended), the weekend should bring brisk yet delightful weather during the day. Friday is expected to be sunny, with a high near 59 degrees. Cold weather descends by nightfall, with the low expected to be around 34 degrees.

Saturday calls for sunny skies with a high near 63 degrees and a low of around 38 degrees. Sunday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 63 degrees. Those worrying winds will have dissipated by then: "Calm wind," meteorologists wrote in a study of word economy and succinctness.