North Texas facing Severe Thunderstorm:  

We anticipate more rounds of rain and thunderstorms from now through the weekend.

Up to 6 p.m. on Friday, a tornado watch is in effect for a portion of North Texas, including the counties of Tarrant, Dallas, and Collin. When there is a watch, tornado development is likely to occur.

A tornado warning is in effect for Hill County until 2:15 p.m. and Navarro County until 2:30 p.m.

In Waco, a verified tornado made landfall on Friday just before 1:00 p.m. Waco, Texas, saw the touchdown of a tornado on April 26, 2024.

In western Navarro County, there was confirmation of another tornado. A tornado watch is in place through Friday night for certain areas of North Texas. Keep an eye on the weather as we proceed through this Friday weather alert.  

In certain areas of North Texas, strong to severe storms with the potential to produce lone tornadoes, massive hail, damaging winds, and a lot of rain are probable. In fact, the Metroplex and other areas of North Texas are at Level 2 Risk (slight) for the development of severe storms.

Later this morning and into the early afternoon, storms are probably going to move east and along I-35. Later this afternoon and evening, a few more storms may form east of the dryline, mostly west and along I-35. We’ll keep a careful eye on the storms.

If not, the skies will be primarily cloudy. The low 80s will be the high. Up to 35 mph wind gusts are possible from the south.

Be careful if you’re spending the weekend outside! Due to the possibility of strong to severe storms in the area, there is a weather alert for both Saturday and Sunday. However, we don’t anticipate heavy rain over our region this weekend.

A few isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible by Saturday afternoon. But the biggest risk for powerful storms is expected to emerge late on Saturday night and early on Sunday morning. Storms may bring with them destructive winds, a lot of rain, and huge hail. There is a chance of flash flooding in some areas. Another possibility is an isolated tornado. Otherwise, anticipate lows in the lower 80s and largely overcast skies.

Sunday morning will probably bring rain and storms. There will be more later on Sunday afternoon and night. Once again, the primary hazards will be hail, severe rain, and strong winds. It is impossible to rule out an isolated tornado. The upper 70s will be the high.

Highs will rise into the mid-80s the following week. By midweek, more storms arrive.

Current Thunderstorm Situation in Texas: 

The central United States is experiencing damaging wind gusts, big hail, and tornadoes during a multi-day severe thunderstorm outbreak. The risk posed by these powerful storms will only rise over the weekend.

Destructive storms The event began on Thursday in the Plains, where there were at least two confirmed tornadoes, several reports of hail, some of which were larger than baseballs, and wind gusts as high as 70 mph.

Early on Friday afternoon, a fresh round of storms hit the Plains and the South, and by mid-afternoon, many tornadoes had been spotted.

It’s all a part of the traditional springtime preparation for bad weather. As the temperature rises in the area, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico is moving into the central United States, preparing the atmosphere for strong storms.

There is a serious thunderstorm threat for two or three days in a row in some areas.

A number of cities, including Omaha, Nebraska; Dallas; Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; and Omaha, Nebraska, might experience numerous rounds of strong thunderstorms through Sunday.

Plains, Mississippi Valley, Midwest on Friday:

Tornado warnings were issued in Texas late Friday morning as a new round of strong thunderstorms erupted in some areas of the Plains.

The Storm Prediction Center upgraded the area’s severe risk due to the storms’ rapid development.

Early on Friday afternoon, a Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms that had been in effect in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri was extended southward into Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, the storms in Texas are probably going to get bigger and stronger, eventually moving into Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Northeast of Waco, on Friday afternoon, at least one tornado was spotted in Texas. Social media users shared a video of the tornado whirling across a sizable area.

Early in the afternoon, severe thunderstorms developed in eastern Nebraska, and more are predicted to develop in Kansas later in the afternoon. Through the evening and into the night, the storms will continue to move eastward, reaching Iowa and Missouri.

By mid-afternoon on Friday, at least two tornadoes had been spawned by storms in Nebraska, according to National Weather Service advisories.

In the Level 3 of 5 risk area, any storm has the potential to produce severe tornadoes, at least EF2-strength, baseball-sized hail, and damaging wind gusts.

The prediction center issued a warning on Friday morning, stating that “a number of factors seem to be supportive of a significant tornado event today.” Into the evening, there will be an increased risk of tornadoes.

In certain areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, there may be flooding due to heavy rainfall at up to two inches per hour.

More than half a month’s worth of rain poured in the Springfield area on Thursday, causing flash flood warnings due to the heavy rainfall in several parts of Missouri. If there is further heavy rain on Friday, the risk of flooding might increase as floodwaters rise more quickly.

Saturday: Might be the most dangersome day: 

Should specific meteorological circumstances come together, Saturday might be the riskiest day out of the four. How Friday night’s storms develop and continue into Saturday morning will determine how strong the storms can get.

The prediction center issued a warning on Friday, stating that “a complex but potentially significant severe weather episode is expected on Saturday.”

The atmosphere won’t be able to completely recharge to release widespread, deadly storms if storms linger in the morning. In this case, damaging storms are still likely to occur; they might not reach their maximum intensity.

That being said, there won’t be much of a limit to how intense storms can get if they quickly clear out on Saturday morning.

In portions of the southern and central Plains, where a Level 3 of 5 danger of severe thunderstorms is in effect, the most powerful storms are predicted to occur beginning in the afternoon. The primary threats from the storms are baseball-sized hail, powerful tornadoes, and widespread, devastating wind gusts.

The tornado threat could build up dramatically during the late afternoon and evening hours with “multiple strong tornadoes” possible, according to the forecast center.

A sizable portion of the nation, spanning from the Great Lakes to southern Texas, is susceptible to damaging storms outside of the area of highest risk.

The Weather Prediction Center issued a warning on Saturday that there could be a “significant rainfall event.” There is a chance that some places will see nearly five inches of rain in a short amount of time, which could cause severe flash floods. A few places that had several bursts of torrential rain may have totals close to eight inches.

For much of Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, as well as minor portions of Kansas and Texas, there is a Level 3 or 4 chance of extreme rainfall. Heavy rains have the potential to push streams over their banks and flood roads.

Sunday Potentially Devastating storm: 

Potentially devastating storms extending from Texas to Wisconsin could affect the Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Midwest

However, a lot will rely on how Saturday night’s storms behave in terms of the precise timing, size, and intensity of these storms.

In the afternoon, new severe thunderstorms will begin to form if the atmosphere is able to replenish itself after the morning’s storminess. The regions with the highest risk of damaging storms include those in western Illinois, southern Iowa, and northeastern Texas.

Large hail and strong wind gusts could be released by the storms, but there’s also a chance of a lone tornado.

As they move eastward on Sunday night, some storms, particularly in the southern part of the risk region, may continue to be severe.

It is possible to have extremely heavy rainfall, especially in the Lower Mississippi Valley.

Severe weather is expected to become considerably more isolated by Monday. Any storms that form might stay around the Gulf Coast.

Warning Against Severe Thunderstorm in Texas:

Denton, Collin, and Grayson counties are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning that will last until 2:30 a.m. There may be quarter-sized hail and winds as high as 60 mph.

Up until four in the morning, the majority of North Texas is under a severe thunderstorm watch.  For Denton County, there is a flood advisory in place till 4:30 a.m. Due to high water, N Elm Street in Denton is closed in both directions: northwest from Nicosia St. to N Loop 288 and southeast from N Loop 288 to N Bonnie Brae St. 

We’ve only just begun. In Central Texas, more storms are continuing to form, get stronger, and move north. In addition, there are rapidly approaching dryline storms to the west.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the counties to the west (highlighted in pink) through 11 p.m. The Tornado Watch has been expanded to include Henderson and Navarro counties, which are southeast of DFW. Earlier, the counties of Anderson, Limestone, and Freestone were under observation. It has been extended to January 1st. A flood watch is in effect for the green-highlighted counties through Wednesday morning.

A level 3 out of 5 “enhanced” risk of severe storms covers the majority of the region. Additionally, several areas of North Texas are still at level 3 “enhanced” risk for Tuesday. Over the next two hours, expect coverage to expand, especially as storms move in from the west and up from the south.

After midnight, there is still a chance of severe storms since dryline storms from the west are continuing to combine with the stormy weather that the metro has been experiencing.

We’ll need to keep an eye out for another intense downpour on Tuesday morning, particularly into midday.

Hopefully, this level of activity in the morning will settle the atmosphere and provide a pause in Tuesday afternoon traffic.

Over the next several days, there will likely be multiple bouts of intense rain and strong storms. Even while there is a chance of hail, strong gusts, and lone tornadoes tonight and on Tuesday, keep in mind that the risk of flooding only becomes worse with each successive storm until Wednesday. It is predicted to rain between two and four inches overall, with isolated reports of up to seven inches (particularly in the east).

By Thursday, we’re all going to be parched and exhausted. The weekend is filled with more beautiful weather.

Previous History of Texas Thunderstorms:

In February 2021, the state saw record-low temperatures, and snow and ice rendered highways impassable. As a result, the electric grid operator in the state lost control of the power supply, depriving millions of people of access to electricity. Top state lawmakers sought probes into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas as the blackouts grew longer, lasting days, and Texans wanted answers for the catastrophe. The Texas Tribune provided real-time coverage of the storm’s effects and will keep up its accountability coverage while officials respond to the problems the storm brought to light. 

Precautions in Severe Thunderstorm:

 If you find yourself outside, get into a strong, enclosed structure or a hard-top car right away. 

Steer clear of high ground, isolated objects, open areas, and metallic things. Leave boats and stay out of the water. 

Keep in mind that you are near enough to the storm to be struck by lightning if you can hear thunder.