North Texas in the Crosshairs: Tornadoes and Destructive Storms Expected

A powerful line of severe storms is sweeping across North Texas prompting a Tornado Watch for much of the region through p m tonight Forecasters warn that conditions are ripe for dangerous tornadoes massive hail and destructive winds urging residents to take immediate precautions North Texas in the Crosshairs Tornadoes and Destructive Storms Expected The National Weather Provision has placed several counties under the alert including Dallas Tarrant Denton Collin Johnson Ellis Grayson Cooke and Rockwall Personnel say the atmosphere is extremely unstable with the prospective for supercell storms to form hurriedly and produce long-track tornadoes which can be especially damaging We re watching for tornadoes that could develop rapidly with little warning explained meteorologist Alex Garcia These storms are capable of producing hail larger than golf balls and wind gusts over miles per hour By mid-afternoon temperatures across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex hovered in the mid- s paired with high humidity ideal fuel for explosive storm growth Thunderstorm activity is expected to increase through the evening with the greater part severe weather likely between p m and p m Urgency officers are asking residents to have a plan in place keep weather radios charged and ready and stay indoors once warnings are issued Those living in mobile homes or vulnerable structures are strongly encouraged to seek sturdier shelter Local school districts and businesses have begun issuing early dismissals and closing outdoor events due to the threat of fast-developing storms Utility crews are also on standby as power outages are attainable with high wind gusts and prospective lightning strikes For real-time updates and live radar coverage residents can tune in to local news or follow the National Weather Institution Fort Worth on social media platforms