Severe storms for some, snow for others this weekend
A classic late winter/early spring storm system is about to cause havoc across the Lone Star State this weekend. A system of low atmospheric pressure is developing in the Desert Southwest on Friday and it will strengthen as it moves quickly toward Texas on Saturday and Sunday.
The low pressure system will provide the energy needed for a variety of weather hazards across Texas. In the Panhandle, it will interact with a cold, wintry air mass to produce heavy snow. Farther south, the low atmospheric pressure will interact with deep atmospheric moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. That will result in possibly severe thunderstorms in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and far East Texas.
Panhandle snow
Confidence is increasing in a significant snowfall event across the Texas Panhandle. The National Weather Service office in Amarillo has issued a winter storm watch for several counties, warning that the area could get 3 to 8 eight inches of snow. A foot of snow will be possible in isolated areas that see the heaviest snow bands move through.
The Panhandle will likely see rain showers on Saturday, but temperatures will fall below freezing on Sunday, allowing for the transition to snow. The heaviest snowfalls will occur between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday.
The central and southern Panhandle have the best chance of very heavy snow. This includes the cities of Amarillo, Hereford, Plainview and Clarendon. Farther south, snow is still possible in Lubbock, but accumulations will likely be less than 3 inches. Farther east, Wichita Falls could see light snowfall accumulations as well.
Wind speeds will be 20 to 30 mph on Sunday and into Monday morning. This will result in wind chill temperatures in the single digits and teens across the Panhandle.
Severe thunderstorms
Severe thunderstorms will be possible both Saturday and Sunday across the Lone Star State. The overall threat of severe weather is lower on Saturday, but it will increase on Sunday as the low pressure system moves closer. Here’s what you should know:
Saturday: The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 1 of 5 risk of severe weather for an area that includes San Antonio, Austin, Houston and the Hill Country. Under this level of risk, afternoon storms could produce severe hail and damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado is unlikely but not out of the question.
That being said, a severe weather outbreak is not expected on Saturday. The weather service defines severe weather as storms that produce winds of 58 mph or stronger, hail at least an inch in diameter or a tornado.
Rather, only a few of the strongest storms will be capable of severe weather. The majority of storms will stay below severe weather thresholds.
Late Saturday night:
Between 9 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, a secondary push of strong to severe storms will be possible in this region. These storms have potential to be stronger than the afternoon thunderstorms. West Texas, the Hill Country, and areas toward Austin
and Waco are most likely to be affected overnight.
Sunday: The highest severe weather threat persists into late Sunday morning and into the afternoon. Areas under the greatest threat will be along and east of Interstate 35, including Waco, Houston, Lufkin, Tyler and Nacogdoches. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 2 of 5 risk of severe storms in far East Texas. Under this risk level, scattered but short-lived severe storms are possible.
There is a higher threat of large hail in East Texas, some as big as golf balls. Damaging winds and a few tornadoes will also be possible.
Stay weather-aware and up to date with local severe weather warnings. After 3-4 p.m., storms will move east into Louisiana and Mississippi, ending the severe storm threat in Texas.