What's New
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong tornadoes were moving across the southern U.S. on Thursday afternoon, prompting National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists to issue weather alerts in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Why It Matters
Strong storms have already hit Texas earlier this week, threatening flash floods on Tuesday. Now, locations that received heavy rain earlier in the week will be susceptible to floods as more storms move through the region on Thursday. Residents in eastern Texas, far southwestern Arkansas and western Louisiana should be alert as strong tornadoes could be possible.
Not only will strong storms present danger to residents, the severe weather could also disrupt postholiday traffic as Americans journey home after Christmas.
What to Know
Though tornadoes are more prevalent in the spring months, winter tornadoes aren't unusual, particularly in the southeastern U.S. and in the Gulf Coast states.
Texas is the state that sees the most tornadoes each year, and on Thursday, the Lonestar State had the biggest risk for tornadoes with the severe storms.
A tornado watch will remain in place for eastern Texas until 7 p.m. local time on Thursday night. The Texas counties most at risk for possible tornadoes Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Cherokee, Colorado, Falls, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington and Wharton.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Sean Luchs told Newsweek: "So far we have seen one [tornado] touch down near El Campo and Wharton, Texas around 2:20 p.m. It's not rare, but I wouldn't call it terribly common either. Severe weather events with tornadoes are definitely something that has and can happen around here in December."
NWS office in Shreveport, Louisiana: "A storm system moving across the region today will create an environment for severe thunderstorms areawide capable of producing tornadoes, large hail, and heavy rainfall. The highest severe weather threat level remains in Deep East Texas due to the higher probability of tornadoes."
NWS Houston in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "Stay weather aware today as another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is possible from late this morning through this evening. All modes of severe weather will be possible including tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain/flooding."
What Happens Next
Once the storms make their way out of the region, maybe as early as Thursday, calm weather is expected throughout Friday. There's a chance for showers and storms east of Houston on Saturday, but the severe weather threat is not forecast return this weekend.
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