Multi-Day Severe Storm Threat Targets Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Gulf Coast States With Hail, Damaging Winds and Possible Tornadoes Through Sunday
UNITED STATES — A multi-day severe weather outbreak is unfolding across the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast, with thunderstorms expected to intensify from west Texas and Oklahoma today, spreading into eastern Texas, Louisiana, and eventually the central and eastern Gulf Coast states by Sunday.
Forecasters have outlined a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) to begin the event, but impacts could escalate in localized areas as storms organize into clusters and lines capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes.
Today: West and Northwest Texas Into Oklahoma
The first round of storms is expected to develop late this afternoon and evening across west and northwest Texas, including areas near:
- Lubbock
- Odessa
- Amarillo
Storms are forecast to organize in clusters and linear segments, increasing the potential for large hail and damaging wind gusts.
As the evening progresses, additional elevated convection is expected to spread northeast into:
- Oklahoma City
- Central and western Oklahoma
- Possibly southern Kansas overnight
While the overall risk level remains Marginal, stronger cells could still produce isolated severe weather, particularly hail-producing storms.
Saturday: Central, East and Southeast Texas Face Stronger Threat
The focus shifts Saturday afternoon and evening into central, east, and southeast Texas, where stronger forcing may lead to a more organized line of storms.
Cities within the highlighted risk zone include:
- Dallas
- San Antonio
- Houston
- Shreveport
- Parts of east Texas approaching the Louisiana border
Forecasters indicate that large hail and damaging winds will remain the primary threats. However, atmospheric conditions Saturday evening may support a few tornadoes, especially from east Texas into western and central Louisiana.
The timing suggests the most active period will be late afternoon into evening, increasing the likelihood of travel disruptions and localized power outages.
Saturday Night: East Texas Into Louisiana
As storms push eastward, the severe threat extends into:
- Shreveport
- New Orleans
- Western and central Louisiana
The environment may favor embedded rotating storms within a squall line. While widespread tornadoes are not expected at this stage, a few brief tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Residents across eastern Texas and Louisiana should monitor alerts closely Saturday evening.
Sunday: Threat Shifts to the Gulf Coast
By Sunday, the severe weather corridor shifts into the central and eastern Gulf Coast states, including:
- Southern Mississippi
- Southern Alabama
- The Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola
- Northern and central Florida, including Jacksonville
- Areas southward toward Tampa
The setup favors a line of storms with a low-end damaging wind and tornado risk. While the overall intensity may be lower compared to Saturday’s peak, gusty winds and isolated tornadoes remain possible.
Storms could impact outdoor events and travel across Gulf Coast communities.
Main Hazards Through the Weekend
Across the three-day event, the primary concerns include:
- Large hail, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma
- Damaging straight-line winds from organized storm lines
- Isolated tornadoes, especially Saturday evening from east Texas into Louisiana
- Heavy downpours that may cause localized flooding
What Residents Should Do
With multiple rounds of storms expected, residents across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida should:
- Monitor local forecasts and weather alerts
- Have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially overnight
- Secure outdoor objects ahead of strong winds
- Be prepared to move to an interior room if tornado warnings are issued
This evolving setup will require close monitoring as small changes in timing and storm organization could increase localized impacts.
WaldronNews.com will continue tracking this multi-day severe weather event and provide updates as conditions develop across the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast.