The highly advertised severe weather event is here and storms are already popping up across the northern portion of the state.  

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a large area of Texas that will be impacted by strong to severe thunderstorms through Friday night.

Areas east of the metroplex are now in a level 4 out of 5 risk, while those along the I-35 corridor from Dallas to Waco are in a level 3 risk.

Isolated storms are already developing across North Texas, with some becoming severe.

These storms could take on supercellular features. This means they will likely rotate and could potentially produce a tornado. We've already seen a Tornado Warning near the Hillsboro area.  

The storms will continue to move east of Dallas through this evening.

Storms will start to develop east of Austin this evening, as well, then continue to move east from there.

The wind speeds in the upper levels of the atmosphere will support strong storms. All threats of severe weather including damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are possible.

A Tornado Watch is in effect for North Texas until 8 p.m. this evening.

Later this afternoon, the aforementioned cold front will swing through the state, initiating a line of storms likely along and east of I-35. This line will likely impact Austin and parts of San Antonio. The line of storms will then push toward the coast overnight and early Saturday morning.

Once the front clears where you live, the severe weather threat will come to an end. The weekend will feature sunshine and cooler weather.

The bottom line

The threat of strong to severe storms will be the highest Friday and Friday evening. Forecast guidance is clearer on the threats we expect to see with a more detailed timeline of the event.

Stay alert

Have multiple ways of getting severe weather alerts. You can get notifications from the Spectrum News app–turn them on here.