What Can East Texas Expect From the Severe Weather Outbreak?

Forecasters are striking an ominous tone concerning the severe weather outlook through next Tuesday. Strong tornadoes have already been occurring over the past few days, and that threat is expected to continue for much of the southern plains and the Mississippi Valley. The Gulf Coast, all the way to the Great Lakes, could be in harm's way to close out the month of April.

What's the Outlook for East Texas and the Pineywoods?

Today (Friday) poses the biggest threat of severe storms in East Texas. The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the ArkLaTex in the enhanced risk (3 out of 5) zone for widespread severe weather on Friday and Friday night. Much of the Pineywoods, including Angelina, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby Counties are in the slight risk (2 out of 5) section. The rest of East Texas, including the Houston Metro, is in the marginal (1 out of 5) area.

The map below from the Storm Prediction Center shows Lufkin and Nacogdoches to be on the southern cusp of the region that is at risk of EF2 or stronger tornadoes on Friday night.

Good News For Deep East Texas*

The threat of tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds is expected to continue through next Tuesday; however, meteorologists believe the main threat will shift to the north. The greatest risk over the weekend will fall on Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. The Mississippi Valley from Memphis to the Iowa/Indiana border will be most at risk on Monday and Tuesday.

You'll notice the asterisk by the headline above. There remains some uncertainty concerning some of the possible models over the next few days, so there may be some shifting to these severe weather forecasts. We'll keep you posted.

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