Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for East Texas, Tornado Possible

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Central into East/Southeast Texas. The watch is in effect until Midnight tonight (Tuesday).

The primary threats include scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter. Scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph are also possible. A few tornadoes could also occur across the watch area.

Strong to severe thunderstorms have been forming throughout the afternoon and evening across portions of central Texas, mainly east of the I-35 corridor.

As a front pushes eastward tonight, supercells will pose a threat for large hail and damaging winds. Several supercells could develop.

As of 7:15 p.m., the National Weather Service has issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for areas near College Station, Fairfield, and Tomball. Tornado warnings were issued for regions near Groesbeck and Cypress late this afternoon.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 65 statute miles north and south of a line from 5 miles east southeast of Lufkin TX to 45 miles west southwest of College Station, Texas.

Angelina, Nacogdoches, Rusk, Cherokee, Anderson, Houston, Trinity, and Polk Counties are included in the watch area. The watch may be extended later to other counties to the east and southeast.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.