Posted: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 10:08 AM - 39,266 Readers

By: Tony Cantu

It’s a phrase with which you’ve likely become unfamiliar: Keep your umbrellas handy.

After a string of clear and sunny days, a line of storms -- some possibly severe -- is headed to Central Texas. Weather forecasters predict the first wave to hit on Monday night. The heaviest rain and possible hail will likely occur west of Austin and throughout the Hill Country.

Of course, that’s what they said Feb. 23, when large hail and severe storms were predicted on that subsequent Monday too. That particular storm front ended up petering out by the time it reached the area, dropping anemic rainfall that was barely measurable in most of the area.

But this time, forecasters seem serious about it. No kidding around this time.

By Tuesday night, up to four inches are possible, according to the National Weather Service. Again, they’re predicting hail but this time accompanied by strong wind gusts.

These conditions are expected to last until Thursday, forecasters say.