News Summary
A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) thunderstorm warning has been issued for Texas, alerting residents in Dallas and Fort Worth to prepare for destructive winds, possible tornadoes, and large hail. The SPC warns of a derecho that could develop tonight, with severe weather risks including wind gusts up to 90 mph and hail as large as 5 inches. Millions are under severe weather watches, with emergency measures urged for safety.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Texas and Oklahoma as Hurricane-Force Winds, Hail, and Tornadoes Expected Tonight
Dallas, Texas – A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as the state braces for severe weather tonight. Residents across Texas and Oklahoma are advised to stay alert for destructive winds, possible tornadoes, and large hail as a powerful weather system moves in.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) warns that a potential derecho could develop this evening and continue overnight in much of North Texas and southern Oklahoma. A PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch has also been activated for western and central Kansas, northwest Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle, affecting millions.
Severe weather is expected to include widespread damaging winds with gusts reaching up to 90 mph, along with hail as large as 5 inches in diameter. The SPC has categorized the severe weather threat as a Level 4 risk on a five-point scale for parts of the South-Central U.S., impacting approximately 7.5 million people in cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.
Details of the Severe Weather Threat
Over 4 million people across Oklahoma City, Norman, and other areas in Texas, such as Lubbock and Amarillo, are under a Level 3 risk. The primary concern is for destructive wind gusts ranging between 80 and 100 mph, attributed to heightened winds in the atmosphere. These conditions could also lead to the formation of supercell thunderstorms in Oklahoma and Texas, which may escalate into an intense mesoscale convective system (MCS).
A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for Hill, Johnson, Navarro, and Ellis counties until 1 a.m., with anticipated wind speeds up to 70 mph and the risk of quarter-sized hail. Additionally, flash flood warnings are active for Collin and Denton counties until 2:30 a.m., and for Tarrant and Dallas counties until 3 a.m. A severe thunderstorm watch for all of North Central Texas remains in effect until 4 a.m. with potential winds reaching up to category 1 hurricane strength and scattered large hail.
Historical Context and Expected Developments
This high level of risk is unprecedented for many areas in moderate risk zones, which have not witnessed such a severe weather threat in over two years. Governor Greg Abbott has activated additional state emergency resources in anticipation of severe weather and possible flooding as conditions worsen. Tornado formation is still a possibility; however, the immediate concern lies with the damaging winds and significant hail.
Current forecasts predict persistent storms throughout the upcoming week after this initial weather system passes. Meteorologists are urging residents to take precautions, including seeking shelter in sturdy buildings and ensuring they have multiple ways to receive real-time weather alerts. Continuous storm coverage is anticipated as the situation develops throughout the night.
Precautions and Emergency Measures
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HERE Resources
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Severe Thunderstorms Cause Power Outages and Flight Disruptions in North Texas
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Severe Weather Threatens North Texas Overnight
Severe Weather Expected Across North and Central Texas
Matej Blümel Shines for Texas Stars in AHL Season
Lightning Strike Injures Fourteen During Storm in Tarrant County
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Dallas-Fort Worth Weather Forecast
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- The New York Times: Storms and Tornado Forecast
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Warning
- Star-Telegram: Weather News
- Google Scholar: Severe Weather Impact
- Fox 4 News: Dallas Severe Weather Forecast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- WFAA: What is a PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch
- Google News: Texas Weather Alerts
