Some much-needed rain is headed to the metroplex on Wednesday and Thursday, but it will come as a package deal along with strong to severe thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
Scattered thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon, mostly to the east of the metroplex, but a line of stronger storms is expected to develop late Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, moving across all of North and Central Texas.
Meteorologists with the NWS have predicted rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 3 inches across the metroplex and up to 5.5 inches in isolated parts of North and East Texas. Several counties northeast of the metroplex, including Fannin, Lamar, Hunt, and Delta Counties, are under a Flash Flood Watch from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning.
Any storm that develops from this system will likely produce heavy rain, which could cause isolated flash flooding in flood-prone areas. Rapid rises in water levels will be possible on creeks, streams, and rivers. The NWS reminds drivers who may encounter flooded roadways or waterways to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
All of North and Central Texas is included in the Severe Weather Outlook zone of concern. In addition to the rain, damaging wind gusts and hail are possible. The weather outlook also includes a small possibility of tornadic activity, but the primary concerns are wind, hail, and flooding.
The thunderstorms are expected to move out of the metroplex Thursday morning, with skies clearing later in the day.
Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to reach a high of about 91 degrees on Wednesday, ahead of the approaching cold front and thunderstorms, but temperatures for the remainder of the week will be markedly lower. The NWS has forecast a high of 81 degrees on Thursday, 82 on Friday, and then highs in the 70s over the weekend. Nighttime lows on Saturday and Sunday will dip into the 50s.