Threat of large hail, destructive winds and possible tornadoes heightened Sunday across North Texas
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Hill, Johnson, Navarro, and Ellis counties until 1 a.m. Winds of 70 mph and quarter-size hail are possible.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Eastland County until 1 a.m. Wind gusts of 70 mph and half-dollar-sized hail are possible.
A flash flood warning is issued for Collin and Denton counties until 2:30 a.m.
A flash flood warning is issued for Tarrant and Dallas counties until 3 a.m.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for all of North Central Texas until 4 a.m.
Widespread damaging winds are expected with gusts up to 100 mph. Scattered large hail is likely, with isolated very large hail up to 3 inches in diameter possible.
The watch includes Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, Denton, Cooke, Erath, Delta, Fannin, Navarro, Rains, Ellis, Wise, Bosque, Grayson, Montague, Parker, Hopkins, Hood, Somervell, Stephens, Eastland, Hopkins, Hunt, Jack, Johnson, Kafman, Lamar, Palo Pinto, Rockwall, Van Zandt, Wise and Young counties.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of the metroplex under a moderate risk of severe weather. This is level 4 out of 5. The last time we were under such a high risk was more than two years ago.
A Moderate Risk, level 4 out of 5, indicates the confidence is high for widespread severe weather Sunday night. There is a significant risk for wind and hail.
A significant wind threat means that winds 80 mph or stronger will be a possibility. To put this into perspective, these straight-line winds could get up to category 1 hurricane strength.
In addition, there is a significant hail potential, meaning hailstones larger than golf ball-size are also a threat.
Though wind and hail are the primary risks, there is still a chance for tornado development and flooding.
Storms have started to develop ahead of this anticipated event. These storms could produce warnings based on their hail threat (1" or larger). The main complex of storms is expected to arrive later in the evening.
Extraordinarily powerful winds are expected on the leading edge of the arriving squall line. Quick spin-up tornadoes on the leading edge often occur in these weather setups.
We'll likely be in continuous coverage on the stream as the storms move over North Texas Sunday night. Please keep a reliable source for the latest warnings close to you this evening. If your area is in the path of the expected storms, please turn to us for the latest information in live coverage.
The severe weather forecast is particularly dangerous because it is overnight. It is crucial that you have multiple ways to get alerts and have a safe place to take shelter in advance. A good place to take shelter is an interior room at the lowest level of a sturdy building.
Unfortunately, cars and mobile homes are unsafe to be in during severe weather.
After the front passes through North Texas, more storms will remain possible on Monday. The weather pattern continues through next week.
