Austin weather forecast: Warm temperatures, rain chances and increased wildfire risk

Warm, spring-like temperatures have arrived in Central Texas, with sunny skies and a chance for rain in the forecast this week. There’s also an increased risk for wildfires as winds gusts of up to 40 mph are expected, according to the National Weather Service.

On Monday, temperatures will reach the upper 70s, with mostly cloudy skies and a low chance for rain and thunderstorms in the evening and overnight hours.

Rain chances will increase Tuesday morning before dissipating by the afternoon, when a dry, windy front moves into the area. The high temperature is expected to reach the upper 70s. Brisk winds, with gusts up to 40 mph, will be possible, prompting the weather service to issue a fire weather watch across Central Texas from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The weather service is warning against any activities, like outdoor burning, that could inadvertently start wildfires.

The high temperatures will drop to the low 70s on Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows in the 40s and 50s. Both days will be sunny, according to the weather service. On Friday, high temperatures will soar into the low to mid 80s as the South by Southwest festival kicks off in Austin.