A Tornado Watch Has Just Been Issued for Lufkin and Nacogdoches

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has issued a Tornado Watch effective until 7 p.m. for 13 counties in east and southeast Texas.

Angelina, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Sabine, San Augustine, Jasper, Tyler, Polk, Newton, Orange, Jefferson, Hardin, and Liberty Counties are included in the watch area.

NOAA

The tornado threat continues to increase this afternoon across the Pineywoods. Rotation was indicated earlier this morning in a cell that passed over Newton and then into southeastern Sabine County.

Scattered thunderstorms will continue to intensify into the afternoon as a moist and destabilizing air mass becomes more favorable for supercell development with the stronger storms.

A couple of tornadoes are possible with the stronger storms through the late afternoon and into the early evening before this activity diminishes. Tornadoes with winds from 85-115 mph are possible. Some storms may produce straight-line winds gusting to 55+ mph. Hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter is also possible.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
east and west of a line from 55 miles west northwest of Natchitoches, Louisiana to 10 miles east southeast of Port Arthur, Texas

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and 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.