Sunday Severe Recap
Severe storms struck parts of Texas Sunday into early Monday morning, leaving approximately 100 storm reports in their wake.
Numerous tornado touchdowns were reported, including numerous reports in Johnson County, TX. Large tornadoes were reported near Rio Vista and Grandview, potentially 3/4th of a mile wide or larger. A large cone tornado was also reported east of Stephenville, and a tornado with debris was reported near Comanche.
Very large hail also occurred with these storms, including hail of 4.50″ in diameter – that’s softball sized! This easily busted car windshields yesterday afternoon and evening. I guess what they say is true – everything is bigger in Texas!
More Severe Weather
Today the upper level low responsible for the severe weather threat moves east, and along with that the chance of severe storms moves east as well along the Gulf Coast. An enhanced risk of severe weather (in orange) exists for parts of southern Louisiana, including the New Orleans area. Surrounding that is a slight risk of severe weather (in yellow) is in place for parts of eastern Texas to southern Mississippi and Alabama. Once again today, large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes will be possible from any storms that turn severe.
That severe threat continues to shift east into Tuesday, with a slight risk of severe weather along the central Gulf Coast. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes would once again be possible, particularly close to the coast.
Wednesday a marginal risk of severe weather shifts over the southeast United States, with a few severe storms possible ahead of the front.
Heavy Rain & Flooding Concerns Continues
Not only were parts of Texas hit with severe weather, but with flooding rains as well. Check out some of these rainfall totals from the day yesterday – the Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport picked up only 0.02″, but areas to their southwest got over two inches!
April rainfall through Saturday. Image: NWS/AHPS
This month has been a soaker across parts of the south and southeast, with some areas receiving well over a foot of rain. This map above only shows rainfall totals through Saturday, not including yesterdays rain. The abundance of rain has led to, and will continue to lead to, flooding potentials over the next few days in these already water-logged areas.
Another 1-3″+ of rain is expected in some areas over the next five days, helping lead to more flash flood concerns.
Due to the heavy rains expected today, flooding will again be possible from the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma down through eastern Texas and much of Louisiana.
Numerous flash flood watches are in effect over the next few days across portions of the south due to that heavy rain potential.
[MAP: Latest Watches, Warnings, and Advisories]
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Meteorologist D.J. Kayser