5 p.m. Thursday
The National Weather Service continues to observe storms developing across the state.
Severe thunderstorm warnings continued to be issued for counties east and south of Dallas.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch will persist for southern and eastern counties until 9 p.m.
The weather service said a strong storm near Mother Neff State Park in McGregor produced hail and 60 mph winds.
4 p.m. Thursday
The first wave of rain and storms moved through Dallas County by 3:45 p.m.
Hail was falling near Paris and Terrell, east of Dallas. Some of it was the size of golf balls.
Interstate 20 traffic toward Terrell was backed up.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was in effect for counties south and east of Dallas until 9 p.m.
Cooler, drier air will move in later this afternoon, bringing more chances of rain.
3 p.m. Thursday
Isolated storms have begun to develop across and around the Dallas-Fort Worth region with the arrival of a cold front.
Allison Prater with the National Weather Service told The Dallas Express that the main threat from these storms will be mainly “large to very large” hail as well as damaging winds.
The agency has already issued several severe thunderstorm warnings just south of Dallas and Fort Worth.
The NWS has not ruled out the appearance of a tornado with these storms.
The threat of storms is expected to continue through the evening hours of April 20 and conclude with the morning hours.
1:45 p.m. Thursday
Severe weather is expected across North Texas on Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth (NWS) has predicted a chance of severe weather across the North Texas region. The chance for a storm is expected to persist through the day, starting around 2 p.m.
Rain started to fall in Dallas around 1:30 p.m.
The NWS announced that strong to severe storms would be possible Thursday with the early-afternoon arrival of a cold front. The agency reported that these storms would persist into the evening.
The weather service had previously predicted chances of showers throughout the week. The NWS also noted that Thursday would carry the heaviest risk of storms, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
If they arise, the storms are predicted to produce damaging winds, hail, and flooding. The storms also carry a risk of tornados, though the risk of tornadoes is significantly lower than other associated hazards.
Sarah Barnes with the NWS in Fort Worth told The Dallas Express on Thursday that any severe storms would be isolated.
“The environment is certainly supportive of severe storms. We should see pretty decent coverage of showers and storms this afternoon,” said Barnes. “[It’s] just whether or not they all produce severe weather. Probably unlikely, but certainly that potential is there,” she continued.
Barnes said that Friday would see a secondary cold front pass through the area that will bring cooler temperatures to the region. There is a chance for showers and storms in the morning hours on April 21, but the most likely scenario would see storms redevelop in central Texas.
Weather officials advised that citizens prepare for the possibility of severe weather. Officials also encouraged citizens to maintain access to viable shelters and multiple ways to receive alerts.
Severe weather season is already in full swing in the region. If you’re running low on emergency supplies, this upcoming weekend will be a good time to stock up, as many of these supplies will be sold tax-free this weekend, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.