Severe weather information [March 16, 2023]

Overview

[March 16, 2023 at 8:20 p.m.] The original Tornado Watch for most of North Texas has been allowed to expire. Flash Flood warning for Dallas County expired as of 8:06 p.m. New flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. However, earlier rainfall may continue to run off and cause flooding of streams and creeks as well as low lying and poor drainage areas. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

Continue to monitor local conditions.

[March 16, 2023 at 7:05 p.m.] The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of Dallas County is now in place until 7:15 p.m.. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. CDT. Continue to monitor local conditions.

[March 16, 2023 at 6:42 p.m.] The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of Dallas County has expired. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. CDT. Continue to monitor local conditions.

[March 16, 2023 at 6:12 p.m.] A new Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Dallas County until 6:45 p.m. CDT.

[March 16, 2023 at 6 p.m.] The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of Dallas County has expired. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. CDT. Continue to monitor local conditions.

[March 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.] SMU Alert! All clear. Tornado Warning has expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 6:00pm. Continue to monitor conditions. www.smu.edu/aware

[March 16, 2023 at 5:03 p.m.] SMU Alert! Tornado warning. Seek shelter now on lowest floor, in bathrooms or interior hallways, away from windows. Monitor local conditions.

[March 16, 2023 at 5 p.m.] Tornado Warning including Irving TX, University Park TX and Highland Park TX until 5:30 PM CDT

[March 16, 2023 at 4:45 p.m.] Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Dallas TX, Irving TX and Carrollton TX until 5:30 PM CDT

[March 16, 2023 at 1:45 p.m.] The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of southern Oklahoma and north central Texas effective this afternoon and evening from 1:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. CDT.

Bottom Line

Severe storms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes are expected today across much of North and Central Texas.

• A fast-moving storm system will swing through the Plains, bringing a chance for severe weather to most of the region.
• Thunderstorms may develop early in the day, particularly along and east of I-35. Some of these storms could be severe with a damaging wind and hail threat, and a lesser tornado threat.
• A dryline will move east into the region by early afternoon. Additional thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of the dryline this afternoon. These storms will likely be severe with primarily a large hail threat. However, damaging winds will also be possible and there is a low tornado threat.
• Isolated thunderstorms will transition into a line of storms along a southward-moving cold front later this evening into tonight. The severe threat will diminish as the front/line of storms passes each location.
• Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue behind the front Friday morning, particularly across our Central TX counties. This activity is not expected to be severe, but may contain frequent lightning.
• Gusty conditions are expected through Friday, apart from any thunderstorm gusts. Gusts between 35-45 mph are possible later this evening into tonight behind the cold front. A Wind Advisory has been issued for North and Central Texas this evening into Friday morning for gusty post-frontal winds.
• Much colder air will filter in behind the front. A freeze is possible across the north and northwestern parts of the region on Saturday morning.

Remember, there is a difference between a watch and a warning.

On-campus residents who need additional information or support should contact an area desk at Virginia-Snider (214-768-2230) or Armstrong at (214-768-5062) or contact the on-call staff.