Hail pelt the hood of a parked car in Rowlett, Monday, April 27, 2026.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch and an increased hail threat for areas of North Texas until late Tuesday night.
This story will be updated live throughout the afternoon and evening with the latest.
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7:15 p.m. Ground stop, departure delay lifted
The ground stop and departure delays issued by the FAA for DFW International and Dallas Love Field airports have been lifted.
7 p.m. Softball-sized hail reported in Johnson County
The weather service reported that the storm crossing over Johnson County, including Burleson, Cleburne and Keene, has produced very large hail and significant damage.
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Forecasters urge people to seek shelter.
Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for this area are expected to last until 7:30 p.m.
6:42 p.m. Storm damage in Mineral Wells
Storm damage has been recorded in Mineral Wells, promoting the city to urge residents to stay home and off the roads.
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“There is confirmed structural damage, and first responders are actively on scene working to assess the situation and ensure public safety,” city officials wrote in a news release.
To ensure first responders can access affected areas, the release asked drivers to avoid traveling in the northeast area of Mineral Wells — from Country Club Estates to Lake Mineral Wells State Park along Highway 180.
“Keeping roadways clear is critical so emergency personnel can do their jobs quickly and safely,” the release reads
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6:35 p.m. Severe thunderstorm warning canceled in Dallas County
The severe thunderstorm warning issued for northern Dallas County has been canceled, according to the weather service.
6:30 p.m. Johnson County tornado warning
According to the weather service, western Johnson County is under a tornado warning until 6:45 p.m.
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Potential hazards also include baseball-sized hail.
“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the forecast reads. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.”
6:15 p.m. North Texas tornado watch remains
The tornado watch issued Tuesday morning for parts of Oklahoma and North Texas is still expected to last until 9 p.m. Wind gusts of up to 80 mph are forecast along with softball-sized hail.
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The weather service emphasized in a statement that hail up to 4.5 inches is the main threat with this afternoon’s storms. Officials said storms are expected to hit during rush hour and encouraged people to stay home if possible.
“The tornado threat is lower overall, but not zero,” the statement said.
Towns within Sherman and Graham counties could see hail up to 3 inches in diameter and wind gusts of 60 mph, according to the weather service.
The weather service said areas north of Interstate 20 and west of Highway 281 will be under a moderate hail threat from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hail could potentially be larger than baseballs, about 3.5 inches in diameter, forecasters said.
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6:07 p.m. Dallas County severe thunderstorm warning
The national weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Dallas County, including Garland, Dallas and Irving. The warning is expected to last until 7 p.m.
Forecasters said the storm could bring quarter-sized hail and winds of up to 60 mph.
5:55 p.m. DFW Airport ground stop extension
DFW International Airport’s ground stop has been extended to 6:30 p.m.
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Dallas Love Field flights remain under a departure delay of about 60 minutes due to thunderstorms, according to the FAA website.
5:40 p.m. What to know about hail, how to protect yourself
As storms move through North Texas with a chance for softball-sized hail, here’s what to know to stay safe:
Hail forms when a raindrop is carried by a thunderstorm updraft to an extremely cold part of the atmosphere. It grows in size as other liquid water droplets collide with the hail and freeze onto the surface, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory.
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When the updraft can no longer support the weight of the hail or the gust weakens, the hailstones will be dropped from the sky. The stones must be at least 0.2 inches to be classified as hail, and to be considered severe, hailstones must be at least one inch in diameter.
RELATED: Here’s where hail fell the most during last weekend’s storms
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
If you’re outside when a hailstorm strikes, it’s important to seek immediate shelter, the U.S. Forest Service said. If it’s not possible to protect your entire body, focus on the head.
If you’re driving, the forest service recommends pulling over, waiting inside the car and avoiding parking near large trees or under overpasses. It also recommends getting on the floor or backseat of the vehicle face down to avoid getting hit by broken glass.
A garage is the best way to protect a car against hail, but thick blankets or mats can help soften the landing if covered parking isn’t available.
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5:35 p.m. Over 500 flights delayed at DFW Airport
According to FlightAware data, over 500 flights were delayed and about 300 flights were canceled at DFW International Airport.
Departure delays at DFW and Dallas Love Field airports have also been extended to about 60 minutes.
5:15 p.m. Warnings canceled
The tornado warning for east central Palo Pinto county was canceled about 5:15 p.m.
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The severe thunderstorm warning for northeastern Parker County was also canceled, according to the weather service.
5:10 p.m. Tornado warning in Palo Pinto, Parker counties
Central Parker and east central Palo Pinto counties were placed under a tornado warning. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located 4 miles north of Mineral Wells, according to the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office.
The warning is expected to last until 5:45 p.m., according the weather service.
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4:55 p.m. Severe thunderstorm warning in Tarrant, Denton, other counties
The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following counties until 5:30 p.m.
Southwestern Wise County
Southern Jack County
Northern Parker County
Northeastern Stephens County
Northern Palo Pinto County
Southeastern Young County
Severe thunderstorms warnings were also issued for Tarrant County and southwestern Denton County until 6 p.m.
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4:40 p.m. Tornado warnings in Wise, Parker counties
Parts of Wise and Parker counties were placed under a tornado warning that is expected to last until 5 p.m., according to the weather service.
Forecasters said golf ball-sized hail is possible.
4:30 p.m. Airport ground stop, departure delays
Both DFW International and Dallas Love Field airports are under a departure delays due to thunderstorms, according to the Federal Aviation Administration website.
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DFW Airport’s delay is about 45 minutes while Love Field’s delay sits at 30 minutes, according to the website.
DFW Airport is also under a ground stop affecting departures until 6 p.m., with a 30% to 60% chance of extension.
3:55 p.m. Tornado warnings canceled, severe thunderstorm issued
The tornado warnings for Cook, Montague and Wise counties have been canceled.
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The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Palo Pinto and Young counties until 4:45 p.m and Jack and Wise counties until 5 p.m. Jack County’s tornado warning is expected to end at 4 p.m.
3:50 p.m. Tornado watch vs. warning
There’s a distinct difference between the two advisories: while a tornado watch warns of conditions that are favorable for the formation of a tornado, a warning is a much more urgent advisory that requires people living in the affected area to seek immediate shelter.
Tornado watches can be expansive, covering many counties and even crossing state borders, while warnings cover much smaller areas and indicate a tornado has been spotted by radar.
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Here’s what to do if an advisory is issued in your area.
If you’re at home, identify a safe place without windows, such as a basement, bathroom or other interior room.
If you’re at work or school during a warning, avoid large rooms such as gymnasiums and cafeterias and follow whichever protocols are set in place by your school or employer.
If a warning is issued while you’re outdoors, get inside a strong, sturdy building immediately. Sheds and storage facilities are not strong enough to withstand a possible tornado, and neither are tents or mobile homes.
3:00 p.m. Tornado warning in Wise, Montague, Jack counties
The weather service issued a tornado warning for southwestern Montague County, northwestern Wise County and after weather spotters confirmed a tornado moving through Newport, 8 miles west of Bowie, at about 45 mph.
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A warning has also been issued for southwestern Cooke County and northeastern Jack County.
RELATED: What should you do in the aftermath of a severe storm?
Locations that could be impacted include Bowie, Chico, Sunset, Fruitland, Park Springs and Crafton.
The warning lasts until 4 p.m., the weather service said. Flying debris and ping pong size hail could prove dangerous to those outdoors.
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The weather service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning including Decatur, Bridgeport and Bowie until 4 p.m.
Severe threat is increasing across portions of North Texas. Expect additional severe and tornado warnings to be issued soon. pic.twitter.com/1UIRt0l70L
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) April 28, 2026
2:55 p.m. After-class activities canceled
Arlington, Dallas, Carroll and Mesquite independent school districts announced Tuesday afternoon that all after-class activities have been canceled over weather concerns.
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Onsite after-school care will continue as scheduled for elementary students, Arlington district officials said, and all campuses will dismiss at their normal times. After-school programs will remain open for Carroll schools until parents are able to pick up their children.
Dallas district officials said a decision regarding the cancellation of UIL baseball, softball and track and field will be made later today. Carrollton officials after-school programs will remain open until parents are able to pick up their children.
1:40 p.m. End of week storms expected
Another storm system is expected to bring widespread rain to North Texas later this week.
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According to the weather service, while isolated storms are possible, severe weather is not expected.
The region is, however, in for heavy rainfall, especially on Friday. Some areas could see 2 to 3 inches of rain.
“Fortunately, things dry out this weekend with below average highs ranging from the upper 60s into the mid 70s,” the forecast reads.
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Driving tips for when it’s storming
If you’re planning on traveling on wet roads, there are some safety tips you can use to stay safe in the case of heavy rain or any flash flooding.
Make sure your car is equipped for the rain. Ensure your tires have enough pressure and your windshield wipers are functioning properly. They may need to be replaced.
Don’t use cruise control. It’s more likely to lose control of your car when using this feature when it’s raining.
Drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you.
Drive slow. Avoid hard braking and turning sharply in order to maintain traction on the road.
Don’t panic if your vehicle starts to skid. Instead, ease off the gas pedal and continue to steer the car in the direction you want to go. Avoid slamming on the brakes.
Don’t ignore the flooded roadway signs. If you drive around them, you could be fined up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. Additionally, tampering with signs can cost you up to $1,000 and/or up to two years in jail.
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What to do when you hear a weather siren
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Dallas’ weather sirens, officially known as the Outdoor Warning System, alert people to weather threats that could cause injury or damage. The city’s sirens are divided into six sectors and are activated based on which areas are experiencing a weather threat. When they go off, they blare for about three minutes.
The city of Dallas uses five activation criteria:
A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service
A severe thunderstorm warning from the weather service with winds 70 miles per hour or higher
A confirmed tornado on the ground in Dallas.
Hail 1.5 inches in diameter or larger
Other emergencies as deemed necessary
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If you hear them, immediately find shelter and check official social media pages and news outlets or tune in to NOAA weather radio for more information. Don’t call 911 to inquire why the sirens are going off or report that the sirens are sounding in your neighborhood, emergency management staff said. The emergency management office will have notified first responders and other city departments.