Surviving July 4th in Austin: Your guide to the weather and staying safe outside (2024)

Surviving July 4th in Austin: Your guide to the weather and staying safe outside (1)

Your 245th birthday is coming up, America! To help you survivethe Fourth of July holiday in Central Texas, we've tried to answer some frequently asked questions:

July 4th events:Here's where you can watch fireworks in and around Austin this Fourth of July

What's the Austin weather going to be like on July 4th?

The National Weather Service forecast for the July 4 weekend in Austin calls for muggy air and high chances for rain.Saturday has a 70% chance of rain,mainly after 2 p.m., with a high temperature near 90 degrees. Up to a quarter-inch of rain is possible, so even if the Fourth of July itself stays dry, lawns and parks hosting barbecues and picnics might still be soggy or muddy.

Austin's weather forecast forIndependence Day includes a 50% chance of rain,mainly after 1 p.m.,with a high temperature near 90, but the humidity could make it feel closer to 100. So be prepared for a sticky day if you're watching the grill.

Local fireworkshows could still go on in Central Texas, but be warned: Sunday night in the Austin area has a50%chance of rain, mainly before 8 p.m., under mostly cloudy skies.

So it won’t be record-breaking hot?

Not quite —Austin's estimatedhigh temperature would beabout 5 degrees cooler than normal for this time of year, oralmost 15 degrees shy ofthe July 4 heat record of 104 set in 2009.

Will the weather spoil July 4th fireworks around Austin?

It depends. Backyard fireworks are illegal in Austin,so your best bet Sunday night is enjoying the Austin Symphony, which will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday withfireworks later that night aboveVic Mathias Shores along Lady Bird Lake.

The city of Austin could cancel the event if dangerous thunderstorms occur, but otherwise the symphony plans to go on, even if we geta few sprinkles. Organizers will monitor the weather throughout the day and post updates online.

The event is free to the public and comes with a few rules: no pets; no parking in the nearby Bouldin Creek neighborhood; no alcohol; no glass or plastic foam containers; no barbecue grilling; no personal fireworks, including sparklers; and no swimming in Lady Bird Lake.

Can you watch Austin Fourth of July fireworks from the water?

Maybe from a distance. Lady Bird Lake will be closed to all watercraft Sunday between 8 p.m. and midnight, from the South First Street bridge to the railroad trestle bridge upstream.

What kind of parking is available at Lady Bird Lake for July 4th fireworks?

Before you drive downtown, think about using Capital Metro buses or a bike because parking will be limited. Neighborhood parking restrictions will be in effect, and nearby pay garages will run out of spaces quickly.

Capital Metro is offering free rides all day on July 4.Customers can get real-time information by downloading theCapMetro App, using the online Trip Planneror by visitingCapMetro.org.

What about avoiding Austin Fourth of July crowds and enjoying nature?

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department knows youmight use the long weekend to go trekking into local wilderness. But after its staffat 39 state parks last year handled 132 heat-related illnesses amonghumans and pets,the department is urging visitorsto:

• Stay hydrated by drinkingplentyof water — and bring enough for anyfour-legged companions.

• Begenerous in applyingsunscreen or sunblock before heading outdoors, and be sure to reapply after swimming or sweating.

• Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothingto keep you cool.

• Protect your dog'spaws against blistering by walkingduring cooler times of the day or by putting booties on pets. Touch the pavement or ground with the back of your hand. If you can't hold it there for five seconds, the surface is too hot for paws.

• Take a buddy with you so you can look after each other if you're on atrail in excessive heat. Havinga friend around can help you recognizethe early symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as dizziness and flushed skin.

MORE:Watch out for lurking hazards, unsafe boaters in Lake Travis, authorities warn

Surviving July 4th in Austin: Your guide to the weather and staying safe outside (2)

How are the Central Texas lakes this year?

Nearly all public boat ramps on the Highland Lakes, including lakes Travis and Austin, as well as those on Lady Bird Lake, are open. On Lake Travis, where the water elevation is about 666 feet above mean sea level, only boat ramps at Camp Creek Park and Cypress Creekare closed, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. Despite a dry winter and spring, Lake Travis stands only about a foot lower than its historical average for July and is considered 77% full.

Got any water safety tips?

Beware of Lake Travis’ hidden underwater hazards, which can include rocks, tree limbs or even pieces of boat docks. Adults can drown in 60 seconds, and children can drown in as little as 20. Be vigilant: A struggling swimmer might not attract attention unless someone is watching, so don’t swim alone or while intoxicated.

To avoid injury or death on boats, Texas game wardens suggest wearing a life jacket and keeping a fire extinguisher, a sound-producing device to call for help and a life preserver on board. Kids younger than 13 are required to wear a life jacket whenever they’re on a boat.

What if I want to shoot off firecrackers anyway?

Don't!But if you insist, then follow these tips:

• Never hold a firecracker in your hand while lighting it; instead, use a nonflammable surface, such as pavement.

• Do not light more than one firework at a time because some won'tgo offand you will have an unknown number of unexploded fireworks. Place duds in water before disposing of them.

• Even sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees, so don’t let young kids use them without supervision. When the sparklers goout, drop them on a nonflammable surface such as pavement. Douse them in water before putting them in the trash.

Surviving July 4th in Austin: Your guide to the weather and staying safe outside (2024)
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