HOTCOG Homeland Security Division

Thanks to all!

Today is International Firefighters Day, and we want to give a huge “thanks” to those who serve our community as firefighters! Thank you!!!!

https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/holidays/various/international-firefighters-day

Greetings, Central Texas! Below is the forecast from the National Weather Service for today and Thursday. As always, we will post updates if and when we get them. Don't forget you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com!

Bottom Line
The threat for severe weather returns today and tomorrow. The threat should remain mostly along and west of I-35 this afternoon with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes possible. The remainder of the area will then see a severe weather threat Thursday. Large hail and damaging winds are expected to be the main threats, but isolated flooding and tornadoes are possible.

Overview
•Wednesday and Wednesday night
o A cluster of thunderstorms is expected to develop over the
west/northwestern parts of the forecast area this afternoon as
early as around 2-3 PM.
o Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes will be possible.
o These storms will likely transition into a line of storms over
Oklahoma that may brush some of our Red River counties
overnight. Damaging winds and flooding will be the main
threats with this activity.
o An additional line of storms will then develop over Western
North Texas late tonight, early Thursday morning along the
cold front. These storms will move into the forecast area the
couple hours before dawn and move east. Damaging winds
and heavy rainfall will be the primary threats.
•Thursday
o The line of storms will move across North Texas Thursday
morning. Gusty winds and brief heavy rain are the main
threats early in the day.
o Additional redevelopment of strong to severe storms is
expected Thursday afternoon in Central and East Texas.
o Damaging winds and heavy rainfall will remain the main
hazards, but large hail is also possible.
o Heavy rainfall may result in isolated flooding.

What We Are Certain Of:
•Thunderstorms developing this afternoon over the western & northwestern parts of the forecast area. A few storms will likely be severe with large hail, damaging, and tornadoes possible.
•Additional storms with widespread rainfall are then expected to develop along a cold front late Wednesday night into Thursday morning with thunderstorms continuing into Thursday across Central and East Texas.
•Additional storms, especially east of I-35, are likely to be severe Thursday with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain expected to be the main threats.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
•How far south and east the storms will develop this afternoon and if they will remain outside the Metroplex.
•The degree to which any storms will be severe across Central Texas Thursday afternoon.

Happy Good Friday, Central Texas!!! Below is a forecast from the National Weather Service for Saturday and Easter Sunday. We will post updates if and when we get them! Don’t forget you can sign up for weather alerts at www.hotready.com, and have a Happy Easter!!!

Bottom Line
There is a potential for strong and/or marginally severe storms over the Easter Holiday Weekend. This will be the only email for this event; unless conditions significantly change.

Overview
● Saturday
○ A cold front will move into the region bringing cooler temperatures to part of the region.
○ Some storms could occur over our far northeastern counties Saturday morning but strong/severe storms are not expected with this activity.
○ The cap is expected to largely keep storms from forming later in the day.
○ IF the cap can break, isolated to scattered strong/severe storms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds could develop in the afternoon and evening hours, with the best potential for storm development across Central Texas.

● Sunday (Easter)
○ Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms could occur across much of the region, along with wind gusts up to 35 mph behind the front which is expected to be stalled across the region.
○ Sunday morning outdoor activities may be impacted by isolated to scattered showers and storms in the area.
○ Ahead of the front, strong or marginally severe storms may develop in the afternoon and evening hours with the best potential likely east of the I-35 corridor.
○ Hail and damaging winds would be the main threats, along with lightning.

What We Are Certain Of:
● While it is not expected to rain or storm all weekend, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms across the region.
● Rain chances are higher on Sunday than Saturday, especially over the eastern half of the region.
● An outbreak of severe weather is not expected either day; the threat for severe weather is lower than our more recent events.
● The tornado threat is very low over the weekend; hail and strong/damaging winds would be the main threats.
● Sunday morning outdoor activities may be impacted by isolated to scattered showers and storms in the area.

What We Are Less Certain Of:
● If the cap will break on Saturday allowing strong/severe storms to develop.
● Where the front will be located, especially on Sunday, which could alter the location of the potential for strong/severe storms.
● The coverage extent of storms.