Rain bathes Central Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Central Texas has bathed in a steady rain all day Tuesday, giving the ground parched by the lingering drought some welcome moisture, while giving area road surfaces a slickness that has been unfamiliar to many drivers in months.

The rain, expected to last at least until Wednesday afternoon comes from a powerful, upper-level storm system is moving slowly toward Texas from Northwest Mexico. It will draw in copious amounts of Pacific and Gulf moisture, allowing for persistent, widespread -- and at times -- heavy rainfall across Central Texas Tuesday and part of the day Wednesday.

As much as 6 inches may fall  fall over counties east of Interstate 35. Less rain is forecast for the Hill Country counties. However, predicted 2- to 3-inch totals will still be welcome and beneficial.

Ponding of water on roadways and a rapid rise on area creeks may cause hazardous driving conditions. Depending on how fast the rain falls, flash flooding may be possible. Drivers near low water crossings should be especially cautious.

By 2:30 p.m., Austin police responded to 59 traffic wrecks since midnight, including one fatality. While officers could not say all were rain-related, but ordinarily only about 20 wrecks are reported in that time span.

At mid-afternoon, crews were dispatched to a call for a water rescue on Old U.S. 290 and Old Kimbro Road. one person was rescued from a vehicle and was expected to be taken to the hospital..

Meanwhile, conditions are favorable for some strong- to severe storms in South-central Texas. Damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes could form Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning.

Stay with KXAN First Warning Weather and KXAN.com for updates and possible Severe Storm or Flash Flood Watches or Warnings.

Track the rain and storms in your neighborhood using First Warning Weather Interactive Radar.