DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TX – A dangerous weather system is erupting across the southern Plains this Mother’s Day, with central Texas facing a Level 3 out of 5 risk for destructive winds and “giant” hail.
Texas Hotspots and Level 3 Risk
The FOX Forecast Center has placed the area from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to San Angelo under a significant severe weather threat. As a cold front clashes with warm, humid air, meteorologists say storms have begun to “explode” across the region.
Initial discrete supercells are expected to produce very large hail, with some stones potentially exceeding the size of a baseball.
75 MPH Winds and Storm Evolution
As the afternoon progresses, these individual storms are predicted to merge into a massive, fast-moving system. Due to warm and dry conditions in the lower atmosphere, the primary concern will shift to damaging straight-line winds.
- Wind Gusts: Potentially exceeding 75 mph.
- Hail Size: Up to 2 inches or larger in diameter.
- Expansion: A broader Level 2 threat also extends into parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
State Emergency Resources Activated
In response to the growing threat, Governor Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources. The National Weather Service is urging residents to have a way to receive alerts, especially as significant thunderstorm activity is expected to intensify through Sunday night.
Tornado Alley Peak Season
May is historically the most active month for severe weather in “Tornado Alley,” spanning from Nebraska through central Texas. While the tornado count has been lower than average so far this season, experts warn that atmospheric patterns are shifting, which could lead to an increase in activity toward the end of the month.
