Severe thunderstorm warning expires in Dallas County, storms move south and east

A slow-moving cold front could serve as a catalyst for large hail and damaging winds in North Texas, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning that lasted until 3:30 p.m. Thursday for Rockwall County and parts of Dallas, Collin and Hunt counties. The advisory had cautioned of winds up to 60 mph, which can damage roofs and trees, and half-dollar-size hail.

By 4 p.m., the weather service map showed the severe weather had moved to areas south and east of the Dallas Fort-Worth area.

Earlier Thursday afternoon, the service issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for parts of North Texas south and east of Dallas-Fort Worth.

The highest chance of storms developing near Dallas is the mid- to late afternoon, weather service meteorologist David Bonnette said.

“Between about 2 and 5 p.m. is the most likely threat for the Dallas area,” Bonnette said

Along with heavy rain, the storms could be capable of producing up to 2-inch hail and 70-mph wind gusts. Chances of a tornado forming are slim.

Around 7 p.m., the national weather service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Van Zandt County. The warning expired at 7:45 p.m., the weather service said.

There is a low chance of isolated thunderstorms occurring throughout the night, with storms moving to the south and east. In Dallas, storm threats will likely abate by midnight.

Severe storms in April are common for the area, and the system in Thursday’s forecast is “nothing out of the ordinary.”

“This is pretty common for this time of year,” weather service meteorologist Jason Dunn said. “This is getting into our peak severe weather season.”