Hail, thunder roll into Central Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A rain deficit this month is forecast to become a surplus throughout the next two days as a strong, upper-level storm system tracks across Texas.

The storm over far West Texas now, will move slowly down the Rio Grande Wednesday, then over Houston by Thursday.

Tuesday evening widespread fog, drizzle, and scattered showers were indicated over much of the KXAN viewing area, with some isolated thunderstorms over the Hill Country. Earlier in the day, some of the storms produced hail as large as golf balls in northwest Austin.

• Photos: With the rain comes the hail

The rain was expected to remain intermittent through the evening, then increase late Tuesday night.

Widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecast across much of the eastern two-thirds of Texas during this period.

In Central Texas, increasing rain and storms are expected Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, followed by more scattered showers through early Thursday morning.

Rainfall totals are expected to average 1.5 to 2.5 inches over the Hill Country, and much of the Austin metro area. Some 3 inch totals are possible.

Some of the thunderstorms could become severe, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threat -- though isolated tornadoes can also form.

This will be the first rainfall in the area since just under an inch fell in a similar storm system on Jan. 9.

Camp Mabry currently has a 3/4-inch deficit from normal for January but could see a surplus by the time the storm exits the state Thursday.

The overall drought impact is expected to be minimal, as rainfall since October 2010 has been nearly 23 inches below normal.

Track the rainfall using First Warning Weather Interactive Radar.