Dallas-Fort Worth could see severe thunderstorms, large hail, tornadoes Thursday

North Texans should look out for severe thunderstorms Thursday, which could produce large hail and damaging winds, along with a small chance of tornadoes, the National Weather Service says.

“We’re actually pretty concerned about the potential for severe thunderstorms across North Central Texas,” National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Bradshaw said Wednesday. “As far as safety, we’re just concerned about people kind of taking the system seriously.”

A quick-moving storm passed through the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Wednesday morning, dumping rain and hail. The storms are a bit early for the severe-weather season usually seen in North Texas, which is between April and June, and people may have not yet thought to prepare, he said.

On Thursday, scattered storms are expected through the morning. But the main window of concern will be in the afternoon and evening, from about 2 to 9 p.m., Bradshaw said. Storms are expected to move from west to east, through the Interstate 35 corridor, during those hours.

During the day Thursday, a “very, very strong, potent upper-level storm system” is expected to be moving from the west into North Texas, where a “pretty unstable” airmass will develop, Bradshaw said. Then, a cold front is expected to blow in, also from the west, creating a line of storms during the late afternoon or evening hours, he said.

North Texans should have a safety plan, where they have multiple ways of receiving warnings from the National Weather Service and know what steps they will take to find a safe place in their homes or offices, Bradshaw said.

“In general, you want to put as many walls between yourself from the outside environment as you possibly can, stay away from windows,” Bradshaw said. Finding an interior room in a house or a structure is probably the best way to stay safe during thunderstorms, he said.

Gov. Greg Abbott urged Texans to prepare for the severe weather. The governor also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to prepare emergency resources and stand by for possibly hazardous and damaging weather, his office said.