North Texas is facing a significant weather risk on Sunday and Monday, prompting the CBS Texas Weather Team to declare First Alert Days. The primary concerns include hail, damaging winds, and the potential for tornadoes.
In the past 24 hours, strong thunderstorms have resulted in heavy rainfall across the northwestern counties, leading to Flood Watches that remain in effect until Monday morning. Additional rainfall of 1-2 inches is expected south of I-20, with amounts reaching up to 3.5 inches in the northern areas.
Severe thunderstorms are anticipated on Sunday afternoon and evening, particularly in the northwestern counties, where a slight risk has been highlighted by the Storm Prediction Center. Another line of thunderstorms is predicted to develop in the early afternoon and persist into the evening, with hail and damaging winds as the primary threats. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
The severe weather threat escalates on Monday, with an enhanced risk of numerous severe storms impacting the northeastern counties, while a slight risk extends across North Texas. A front is expected to collide with significant instability and moisture, creating conditions conducive to tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds.
The most intense storms are forecasted for the western counties during the morning, shifting towards the I-35 corridor and DFW in the afternoon, and affecting the eastern counties in the late afternoon and evening.
This weather system will also bring much-needed rainfall and cooler temperatures, leading to a sunny afternoon just in time for Election Day. However, calm conditions are short-lived, as another front is anticipated early Thursday morning, which is likely to increase precipitation and reintroduce active weather patterns.