From left, William Somchag, Justice Guy and Lanni Miller, crossing guards at Neveln Elementary, head inside and out of the wind and rain Thursday morning. — Matt Peterson/matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com

Much of the Austin area awoke to rainy, gloomy conditions on Thursday morning. And those conditions could turn to snow before nightfall.

According to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wis., the Austin area received between half and three-quarters of an inch of rain from Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Grand Meadow recorded as much as 1.27 inches of rain, and areas of Fillmore County and northern Wisconsin received 1.8 inches or more.

NWS Meteorologist Zack Taylor said wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were recorded along with scattered hail within this cold front system; however, he heard no reports of storm damage in this area.

The wet conditions are forecasted to continue and could even turn into snow by Thursday night but may only be a few flakes.

“We’re not expecting anything heavy enough to accumulate,” Taylor said.

Taylor added the temperature will fall throughout the day until it reaches the mid 30s in the afternoon. Temperatures for the next several days could reach highs in the 40s and overnight lows in the 20s. Dry conditions are expected to return by Friday and persist, as well.

Though the rain won’t end the drought by a longshot, it will make a positive difference.

“It will put a small dent,” Taylor said. “It certainly will not be a drought-busting rain. You need several events like this to do that.”