Category: Severe Weather Archive

Overview

A few severe storms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds are possible Thursday evening into Friday morning. The highest severe weather threat will be west of I-35..

• Scattered storms are expected to develop over Western North Texas Thursday evening.
• The initial storms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a low tornado threat.
• A cold front will move through Thursday night with a broken line of storms expected along the front. Hail will be the primary threat overnight.
• By the time the storms move east of the I-35/35E corridor early Friday morning, the storms will be weaker with only a threat of isolated strong wind gusts and small hail.
• Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue across our East Texas counties Friday morning into early Friday afternoon. This activity is not expected to be severe.

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.

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.

[March 2, 2023 at 7:45 p.m.] Thunderstorms with high winds and rain are lessening. The potential for severe weather continues. Stay alert.

[March 2, 2023 at 6:50 p.m.] The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for S. Dallas Co until 7pm. Seek shelter until all clear

[March 2, 2023 at 6:32 p.m.] Sirens are warning of high wind speeds of 80+mph as storm approaches. Stay inside.

[March 2, 2023 at Noon] Widespread severe weather is expected Thursday afternoon and evening with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. A couple of tornadoes could be strong. 

Overview

• A Pacific cold front will move through late this afternoon and evening. Scattered thunderstorms will develop primarily along or just ahead of the front. Storms will have the potential to produce large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. 
• The greatest severe weather threat exists along and east of the I-35/I-35W corridor. 
• Storms will develop into a fast moving squall line as they reach the I-35 corridor (around 6 pm Thursday), and the primary threats with the line will be damaging winds in excess of 70 mph and embedded tornadoes.
• Heavy rainfall is possible across Northeast Texas and may result in minor flooding, especially in low-lying and flood prone areas.
• Windy conditions will develop behind the front late this afternoon and evening and continue into early Friday morning. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible behind the front across all of North and Central Texas. 
• Elevated fire weather conditions are likely across far western North Texas between 4pm and 8pm Thursday.

If a tornado is sighted near campus, SMU will activate our alert systems and sirens in coordination with the City of University Park.

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.

[November 4] The National Weather Service is forecasting a powerful storm system will be moving through the Dallas area today, bringing a chance for thunderstorms with high winds, hail, and potentially tornadoes. Locally heavy rainfall may produce flooding in some areas.

If a tornado is sighted near campus, SMU will activate our alert systems and sirens in coordination with the City of University Park.

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.