Tornado Watch Issued for Portions of Deep East Texas

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado Watch for portions of southeastern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, western Mississippi, and eastern Texas. The watch is in effect through Wednesday evening at 9 p.m.

The only East Texas county included in the watch area is Sabine County. Keep in mind that this doesn't necessarily limit the development of severe storms containing tornadoes to areas within that county. Adjacent counties such as San Augustine, Shelby, and northern Jasper and Newton Counties may also be at risk of severe weather.

The Storm Prediction Center is advising those in the watch area that a few tornadoes are likely with a couple of intense tornadoes possible (EF2 or greater). There could be scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph within the watch area and there could be large hail events with hailstones up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

Thunderstorms are expected to increase across the region late this afternoon and intensify this evening, with environmental conditions becoming increasingly conducive to a risk for tornadoes. A strong tornado or two would be more likely to happen after 6 p.m., and especially into northeastern Louisiana, southeastern Arkansas, and/or northwestern Mississippi.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 55 statute miles
east and west of a line from 45 miles west-northwest of Memphis TN
to 20 miles east southeast of Natchitoches LA.

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

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