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Texas was hit by quarter-sized hail, 105 mph winds and thunderstorms on Christmas Eve.
why is it important
The winter storm arrives just as many Americans return home just in time for the holidays.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts a record year for holiday travel, with more than 119 million people taking to the roads and skies.
Last weekend was expected to be the busiest time for travel, but Texans who set out on Christmas Eve may have faced hailstorms, flooded roads and even the possibility of tornadoes.
With the storm expected to continue into Christmas Day, Texans are likely to have a wet rather than a white Christmas this year.
What you need to know
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of Texas today after a winter storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to the state.
A flash flood warning was issued for the Fort Worth, Texas area on Tuesday, and tornadoes also appeared in the southeastern part of the state as forecasters warned of multiple tornadoes, winds up to 105 mph and hail up to 2 inches in diameter. A warning has been issued. .
Many Texans are sharing videos and images of large hailstones falling in their backyards. So far, no serious damage from the hailstorm has been reported.
A ground stop order was issued at Busch Intercontinental Airport Tuesday afternoon amid inclement weather.
The NWS also warned that conditions “will support a supercell threat with isolated large hail. A slight wind damage threat may also occur along more intense portions of the line.” .
Supercells refer to rotating thunderstorms that can last several hours, travel hundreds of miles, and often produce tornadoes.
people’s opinions
“Strong to severe thunderstorms with large hail and moderately severe wind gusts are expected to develop across East Central Texas from late this afternoon into this evening,” the National Weather Service said in a statement today.
A Cypress, Texas woman who shared a video of huge hail bouncing off the ground in her backyard told I’m there,” he wrote.
Meredith Seaver, also of Cypress, Texas, shared a photo of a giant hailstone and asked, “Is this a Christmas miracle?”
Forecaster Max Velocity said on We must navigate to avoid it!”
What happens next?
The storm’s heavy rain and strong winds are expected to continue until 5 a.m. CST.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for areas of Texas until 8 p.m. CST and a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Texas until 12 a.m. CST.
Light rain is expected into Christmas Day and into Thursday, but another storm is expected to move into the region on Friday, with rain expected to continue into Saturday.
