Severe Weather Updates for Dallas-Fort Worth
The National Weather Service has cancelled the tornado watch that covered Dallas-Fort Worth early Sunday morning.
“After looking at the latest environmental data, our tornado threat has greatly diminished,” the agency said in a social media post at 4:35 a.m.
The watch — which covered Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties — was initially set to last until 7 a.m. Sunday. Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins urged residents in a X post late Saturday night to “stay weather aware and have a way to get notified in the middle of night if needed.”
Understanding Tornado Watches and Warnings
It’s essential to understand the difference between a tornado watch and warning. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop, while a tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.
Related: What’s the difference between a tornado watch and warning?
Tornado Sightings and Storm Updates
Earlier Saturday, the weather service said law enforcement confirmed a tornado near Weatherford, an area in Parker County located around 30 miles west of Fort Worth, shortly after 10 p.m.
The agency said the tornado was moving north at 25 miles per hour, urging residents in the nearby areas to take cover in a substantial shelter immediately. It said hazards include quarter-sized hail and flying debris. Mobile homes, roofs, windows, vehicles and trees are also likely to be damaged or destroyed.
Around an hour later, the weather service told residents near Cool and Garner, both also in Parker County, to take shelter due to multiple reports of a tornado moving across the northern part of the county.
A tornado also landed in Hood County Saturday night, according to the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department. It said in a Facebook post just before 9:30 p.m. that one home southwest of Tolar was hit and several trees were blocking the roadway.
Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was also located just over 15 miles north of Stephenville in Erath County, according to the agency.
Severe Thunderstorm and Flood Watches
The National Weather Service previously issued a severe thunderstorm watch for a broad swath of the state along and west of Highway 281, including parts of western and central North Texas, until 10 p.m. Saturday.
The agency also issued a flood watch for Greyson, Cooke, Montague, Wise, Jack, and Young counties through 1 p.m. Sunday.
Most parts of the D-FW could see between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rainfall totals, the agency said. Though it also warned that some isolated areas in northwest Texas could get up to five inches.
Regaining Power
Thousands were without power Saturday morning as stormy weather overnight moved through North Texas — with more rain threatening to flood parts of the region this Easter weekend.
According to Oncor’s outage map, more than 11,000 customers were experiencing outages as of 8 a.m.
As of 8:43 p.m., the number of affected customers dropped to under 1,400. Among them, under 500 were in Tarrant County and under 300 were in Dallas County.
Latest Dallas Forecast
SATURDAY: Periods of rain and thunderstorms likely. Heavy rain and strong storms are possible. Mostly cloudy. Low: 60. High: 78. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.
SUNDAY: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, ending before noon. Clearing and breezy for the afternoon. Low: 54. High: 75. Wind: W 10-15 mph.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny and pleasant. Low: 59. High: 80. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy and warm with a 20% chance of a thunderstorm. Low: 63. High: 83. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy and warm with a 60% chance of showers and storms. Low: 62. High: 80. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the severe weather in Dallas-Fort Worth has caused significant disruptions, including power outages and tornado sightings. It’s essential to stay informed and follow the latest updates from the National Weather Service to ensure your safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about severe weather in Dallas-Fort Worth:
Q: What should I do during a tornado watch?
A: During a tornado watch, you should stay informed and be prepared to take action if a tornado warning is issued. Make sure you have a plan in place and a safe place to go in case of a tornado.
Q: How can I stay safe during a severe thunderstorm?
A: To stay safe during a severe thunderstorm, you should stay indoors and away from windows. Avoid driving or traveling unless absolutely necessary, and keep an eye on the weather forecast for updates.
Q: What should I do if I lose power during a storm?
A: If you lose power during a storm, you should try to stay calm and follow the instructions of your utility company. Keep a flashlight and battery-powered radio on hand, and try to stay informed about the status of the power outage.
