Houston, TX – More than 1.3 million residents across East Texas remain under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 2 a.m. Monday as a potent weather system moves through the region, bringing the threat of destructive winds and tennis ball-sized hail.
According to the National Weather Service Houston-Galveston, areas including the Brazos Valley and Piney Woods are at elevated risk for damaging weather overnight. Scattered storms capable of producing wind gusts up to 70 mph and large hail are likely, and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. The watch includes major population centers such as College Station, Navasota, Lufkin, Crockett, and Shreveport, LA.
Local emergency officials urge residents to remain alert and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings overnight. With 531 schools and 56 hospitals located within the watch zone, authorities are emphasizing preparedness and timely response.
Travel conditions may rapidly deteriorate due to wind-blown debris or hail. Residents should secure outdoor objects, charge electronic devices, and review emergency plans. This level of severe weather is more common in spring, but the size of potential hail—up to 2.5 inches—is considered unusually large.
The thunderstorm watch expires at 2 a.m. CDT Monday, March 31.
