Hail, high winds possible with morning thunderstorms ahead of hot, dry weekend

Widespread thunderstorms are likely through Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Morning storms will be mild but intensify by the afternoon as temperatures reach the 80s and muggy conditions develop. The weather service said damaging winds up to 65 mph, ping pong ball-sized hail and tornadoes may accompany the storms.

KXAS-TV (NBC5) meteorologist Grant Johnston said areas east and southeast have the greatest threat for severe weather, especially twisters.

“When we look at the severe weather risk, it is significant from Dallas-Fort Worth and especially to the east and southeast,” he said.

According to NBC5′s forecast, there’s a 90% chance for storms at 10 a.m. The storms will linger in D-FW through midday, before strengthening and marching eastward by the afternoon, Johnston said.

“The sun will eventually reemerge from behind the clouds by mid- to late-afternoon,” he said.

High temperatures Thursday will be in the low-80s. Rain chances “drop off” over the weekend as temperatures warm into the 90s, Johnston said. Those hot highs continue through next week, according to the forecast.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said Tuesday it is bracing for the heat wave’s potential strain on the state’s power grid.

Here’s what NBC5′s latest forecast says:

Thursday: 80/59. Mostly cloudy and warm with a 90% chance of storms, mainly in the morning.

Friday: 87/59. Mostly sunny and warm.

Saturday: 94/66. Mostly sunny and hot.

Sunday: 97/72. Mostly cloudy and hot.