What is the difference between a tornado clock and a tornado warning?
Oklahoma is undergoing a tough weather season. It is important to understand these terms before an alert is issued.
This week, Texas, including Midland Odessa, Dallas-Fort Worth and Lubbock, will be able to produce isolated tornadoes this week, which will produce baseball-sized hail and damage the wind.
Forecasters expect the harsh weather threat to last from Tuesday until at least Friday, with storms tracking east across the state.
According to local and national weather department forecasts, risks vary from region to region throughout the week, with different regions facing high potential on different days.
Tuesday: Storms scattered across Texas
Midland Odessa (Permian Basin)
The Midlands National Weather Service has told us moderate risks of heavy storms Tuesday afternoon and evening, warning that it is primarily east of the Panther junction line from Term. Large hails, harmful winds and isolated tornadoes are possible, especially in the Permian Basin and the Southern Plateau.
Airflows around Transpecos, Davis and glass mountains could increase the chances of a tornado near I-10 in the Fort Stockton area, according to Myradar meteorologist Matthew Cappucci.
Lubbock Area (South Plains)
Thunderstorms are expected in most parts of the South Plains area on Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon, according to NWS Lubbock. Some storms can become serious, producing large hail and damaging gusts of wind. The threat of tornadoes remains low, but isolated tornadoes cannot be eliminated.
Dallas Fort Worth and Central Texas
The Dallas-Fort Worth area saw a two-round storm on Tuesday. The first is segregated from central and eastern Texas thunderstorms, mainly south of I-20 and along the south of the I-35 corridor. According to NWS Fort Worth/Dallas, coverage is sparse and the storm should quickly weaken after sunset.
The second round could arrive after midnight as weakened clusters move from the northwest. The best rain chances (about 40%) are in northern and central west Texas, but predictors are unsure how strong these storms will be.
Both rounds have serious low-end threats. The main risk is inspiration and hurts the wind.
Wednesday: Despicable Tornado Setup in Western Texas
Cappucci said severe weather is expected to intensify Wednesday due to “sneaky tornado risks” in western Texas. Supercells can develop along the dry line. Arid desert air meets water in the Gulf Coast, bringing the threat of destructive hail to baseball sizes, over 70 miles of wind, isolated tornadoes near Lamesa, Big Springs and Snyder.
Water levels will increase, and stronger storms may stimulate, especially when interacting with the remaining outflow boundaries from Tuesday, due to weaker mid-level turbulence. A similar setup caused a tornado near Anson and Holy in May 2024.
The development of the storm is affected by a phenomenon known as Lee Cyclolegence when the southwesterly winds over the Rockies emit low pressure to the east. This setup, combined with vertical wind shear, can promote storm rotation.
In the north of the warm front, cool air can suppress serious activity and limit Northern Oklahoma and Kansas to ail and gusts of wind.
Thursday to Sunday: Scattered storms and low serious threats
The Midlands National Weather Service office is reporting moderate risks of severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening, particularly in the low rolling plains and Permian basin in the west. A severe storm can lead to great hail, damage the wind, and lead to isolated tornadoes.
In North Texas, the National Weather Service in Fort Worth says showers and storms scattered every day, with volatile weather patterns persisting until the end of the week. Some storms may be slightly more severe to stronger, but the overall risk of widespread and inclement weather remains low. The chances of a storm will gradually decrease throughout the weekend, but will rise again sooner next week.
Tornado Watch vs Tornado Warning: What’s the difference?
Tornado Watch: Tornado is possible and residents need to be vigilant.
Tornado warning: Tornadoes have been found or shown on weather radars, and residents should immediately seek shelter.
