WEATHER ALERT: Very Large Hail Possible Tonight Across East Texas

Massive Hail Possible Tonight Across East Texas

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 p.m. tonight.

The cities of Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Tyler, Longview, Livingston, and Texarkana are all included in the watch area. A listing of the included counties can be found below.

What To Expect From the Severe Storms

The major threat from these storms will be large to very large hail. It is estimated that some of the cells could produce hail 2.5 inches or larger in diameter. That's roughly the size of an egg or ping-pong ball. The area most likely to receive very large hail is indicated in the hatched area of the map below.

Hail that size can cause major damage to vehicles, roofs, trees, and other outdoor items. It can also lead to serious injuries to people, pets, and other animals that are outside during the hailstorm.

Straight-line winds gusting to around 60 mph are possible, and a tornado or two can not be ruled out.

Timing of The Storms

As of 6:30 p.m., a broken line of strong to severe storms extends from near Athens, Texas southwestward to north of Austin. These scattered storms are moving towards the east and some cells may become stronger as the night progresses.

The northern edge of the storms are expected to move near the Jacksonville to Kilgore area between 7-8 p.m., while the southern line should move into the Lufkin/Nacodgoches area between 8-10 p.m.

The National Weather Service is forecasting the chance of rain in Lufkin at 35% tonight. As of now, that means the storms should remain scattered, but it's still a good idea to plan for the worst and move vehicles under cover and make sure your pets and animals are protected.

These Counties Are Included in The Watch Area

Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Brazos, Burleson, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Collin, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Grimes, Harrison, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Marion, McLennan, Milam, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinty, Upshur, Van Zandt, Walker and Wood