Thunderstorms blew through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex late Thursday morning and early afternoon, darkening the skies and bringing heavy rain and lightning strikes, but more is yet to come.
More storms are expected to roll through the area late Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing more precipitation and a chance for damaging winds and large hail. Although flash flood warnings issued earlier in the day for Dallas and surrounding counties have since expired, a flood watch remains in effect through Friday evening, per the National Weather Service.
The storms, arriving from the west, are expected to affect nearly all of North Texas at different times throughout the day and into the night, from as far north as Sherman to as far south as Waco, according to the NWS. New rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches are possible.
Rising midday temperatures and increasing instability increase the chances of severe storms. According to CBS News, when storms are more scattered, the chance for hail is higher, and when the storms become more linear, the chance for higher wind threats increases.
In the DFW area, residents will need to stay alert to possible severe weather threats during the overnight hours, especially between midnight and 4 a.m. The main threats for severe weather will be large hail, damaging winds, and possible flooding. The risk for tornadoes is low but cannot be ruled out, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Some of the same areas impacted by Tuesday’s severe storms could be affected again by Thursday’s weather. Tuesday’s early morning storm, packing winds up to 80 mph, felled trees and power lines and damaged homes and businesses across the metroplex, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The storm knocked out power for thousands of North Texas residents, and Oncor is still working to restore service in some areas, as The Dallas Express reported.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a disaster declaration following the storm.
A chance for showers and thunderstorms remains in the forecast throughout the weekend, and high temperatures will range from the low to mid-80s.