Forecasters Warn of an East Texas Tornado Threat on Thursday
It's Springtime in East Texas which means that azaleas are blooming and mother nature is looming.
This is the time of the year when Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas are quite often in the target zone for severe weather. That scenario should play out again this Thursday and Thursday night.
Winter is Not Done With Us Yet
A significant cold front will be moving into the Pineywoods by late Thursday night giving us plenty of sunshine for the upcoming weekend, but high temperatures will only be in the 50s, while lows will possibly make it to the freezing mark.
Thursday will mark the clash between that incoming front and the warmer air that's already in place. That is expected to lead to an outbreak of some severe weather across Deep East Texas.
How Bad Will it Get?
Right now, the jury is still out. But, for now, forecasters expect rain chances to go up by Thursday afternoon. Then, by Thursday evening and into the overnight hours, the severe weather could start popping off across the area.
Damaging straight-line winds gusting to 70 mph, hail up to golf ball size could be seen, and yes, tornadoes are a possibility. The National Weather Service in Shreveport pegs that tornado probability in the medium range.
The Storm Prediction Center currently has a large section of the Pineywoods and ArkLaTex in the yellow-shaded area, but they will probably place some of those locations in a greater-risk area within the next 24 hours.
Some flash flooding may occur in heavier downpours. Up to an inch and a half of rain could fall in portions of Deep East Texas.
Stay Alert
As always, stay up to date with changing weather conditions. Be sure to download our free station app to have weather alerts sent to your smartphone.
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