East Texas Tornado/Hail Threat, What Time Will The Storms Arrive?
Multiple Rounds of Severe Weather
It's bad enough when you have to prepare for the possibility of a severe storm moving through your area. It's even more unnerving when you have the chance of multiple dangerous storms threatening your home.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Oklahoma has placed most of the Pineywoods in an 'enhanced' zone for the threat of severe weather through 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Numerous severe storms are expected in the brown-enhanced area.
All modes of severe weather (damaging winds, hail, tornadoes) are possible.
Tornado Threat
Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Huntsville, Beaumont, and Natchitoches remain in the Significant Hatched area of the above map. This zone has a greater chance of experiencing tornadoes, and some may be EF2 strength or greater.
As of noon, a tornado watch has been issued for much of central Texas and the Brazos Valley until 5 p.m. Houston County is also included in that watch.
Hail Threat
Severe storms dumping large hail are expected to be another threat for central and east Texas. The hatched area on the above map should be alert for the possibility of hail that could be at least 2 inches in diameter.
Flood Threat
Widespread flooding has been occurring Tuesday along the Interstate 20 corridor. Most of Deep East Texas has avoided the flooding so far, however, the Weather Prediction Center is forecasting that Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and many surrounding areas could be at risk for flooding later on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Timing of the Severe Weather in the Pineywoods
Most weather models suggest that East Texas will be in for two main rounds of severe weather between now and Wednesday morning. The thunderstorm outlook forecast map from the SPC reflects those expectations.
Tuesday, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Thunderstorms in East Texas may happen any time between now and Wednesday morning, however, forecasters believe that widespread thunderstorms with the potential for severe weather will move through the Pineywoods from mid-afternoon through the early evening hours on Tuesday.
Tuesday 11 p.m. until Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Following the afternoon/evening storms, Deep East Texas might get a few hours of respite, but a solid line of thunderstorms is expected to push through the Pineywoods overnight. Several computer models forecast that line to progress into our area between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Have a Plan of Action, Just in Case
If a tornado warning is issued for your immediate area, have a plan of action already in place.
If you are in a building/home, go to the center of a small interior room or interior hallway on the lowest level, away from windows, doors, and outside walls. If you live in a manufactured/mobile home, get out immediately and safely travel to a pre-identified safe structure.
Click here to find out more about how to stay safe during severe storms
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