North Texas is facing severe weather conditions as the CBS News Texas First Alert Weather team issues a weather alert today. Clouds have blanketed the region, with warm, windy, and muggy conditions prevailing. Severe storms have begun impacting western parts of North Texas, moving east/northeast at 50-60 mph, bringing the main hazards of large hail and damaging winds. To address the situation, a Tornado Watch and a Thunderstorm Watch have been issued until 9 p.m.
Today in North Texas, there is potential for strong to severe storms to develop, especially in the metroplex area. The presence of all the necessary ingredients for severe storms raises the question of whether the cap or the instability will dominate. The cap, a layer of warm air higher up in the atmosphere, may inhibit storm intensification if updrafts encounter warmer air layers, preventing them from reaching severe limits.
Earlier today, parts of North Texas were at slight and enhanced risks for strong to severe storms, with the Storm Prediction Center upgrading some regions to moderate risk. The risk is highest in areas capable of producing large hail and isolated tornadoes. As the day progresses, the region is at risk of severe storms, with the potential heightened if the cap weakens, allowing storms to intensify quickly.
The latest guidance suggests the cap may persist longer over North Texas, potentially limiting the severity of storms later in the day. Nonetheless, strong storm development is expected to begin in the west around 4 p.m., with areas closer to the moderate risk zone likely to experience large hail and isolated tornadoes. Central Texas, particularly along the I-35 corridor, will be under the storm threat from 7-10 p.m.
Looking ahead, most storms are forecasted to move north and east of the area by midnight, with the weather event not expected to last throughout the night. Today’s weather will see mostly cloudy skies, with high temperatures in the low 80s, dropping to the mid-50s overnight. Tomorrow, expect mostly sunny skies with cool and breezy conditions, and highs in the mid-60s, while Wednesday through Friday will bring plenty of sunshine and climbing temperatures into the mid to upper 70s.
The weekend forecast includes sunshine on Saturday and a chance of storms on Sunday, with temperatures in the upper 70s. Attention turns to the Total Solar Eclipse next Monday, where the weather may be unsettled with clouds and possible showers and storms forecasted. The eclipse is set to occur around 1:42 p.m., with temperatures in the 70s.