New Watch for Oklahoma & Texas

The above Severe Thunderstorm Watch has just been issued for portions of central & eastern Oklahoma and northwest Texas, valid until 11 PM CDT.

The watch was issued as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch because the primary threat is expected to be damaging straight-line or downburst winds, which could be very intense in some areas.  Large hail is also possible.  An isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out, particularly during the first few hours of thunderstorm development late this afternoon or early this evening.  By mid-evening, the threat will almost exclusively be from damaging winds.

This is not your run-of-the-mill, "garden variety" wind damage threat.  The potential exists for particularly damaging winds with any thunderstorm that is able to become well organized and/or fast moving.  If you live in these areas, please remain alert & prepare for possible severe.  Listen for later statements and possible warnings - and be prepared to seek shelter if threatening weather approaches your area.

Please note:  Do not assume that if you live along the Eastern border of the watch area that it will be 11pm (close to the watch expiration time) before severe weather threatens you.  Once this line of storms evolves, it will move very quickly Eastward, and additional watches will be required to the East of this one later this evening.