Parts of Texas are at risk for severe storms on Wednesday, April 1, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The agency is warning residents in select areas of the most likely hazards the systems could bring.
Forecasters say the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex and Lubbock regions could get the brunt of the extreme conditions. The gloomy climate is impacting cities across the state, with San Antonio looking at its own thunderstorm chances tonight.
Metrologists report that a broken line of storms is moving from the west to the east over the Dallas area. Due to this, the potential for it to be “strong to severe” is highest near and west of the Interstate 35 corridor. A map from the NWS lists the cities of Graham, Cisco, Sherman, DFW, Waco, and Killeen as closest to the action.
When is it expected to hit? It varies by location. It could start between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. for Graham and Cisco, per the NWS. The DFW, Sherman, Waco, and Killeen areas are looking at a 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. window. Meanwhile, for Paris, Canton, and Palestine, it could happen any moment from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Forecasters say damaging winds, an isolated tornado, hail, and slippery roads are all possible during these hours. Residents should have multiple ways to get warnings and be prepared to take action should a warning be issued for their community.
Those based farther West could see “fast-paced severe thunderstorms” late on Wednesday afternoon through the evening, per the Lubbock office of the NWS. Experts predict it will primarily hit “across the eastern Rolling Plains and far southeastern Texas Panhandle.”
Folks should plan accordingly for golf-ball-sized hail and wing gusts reaching up to 70 mph. As of Wednesday morning, Aspermont, Guthrie, and Childress are at a level two out of five risk for severe weather. This means that isolated intense storms would be short-lived or not widespread, forecasters say. The NWS places Matador at level one, suggesting it would not last long nor be as intense.