Houston, TX – A Tornado Watch is in effect for Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana until 9 p.m. Saturday as a powerful line of storms sweeps across the Gulf Coast region.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch was issued at 12:35 p.m. CDT and includes areas along and 70 miles east and west of a line from 75 miles north of Port Arthur, Texas, to 25 miles south of Houston. Coastal waters are also impacted.
Forecasters warn that the primary threats include a few possible tornadoes, wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph, and scattered large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter. The storms are expected to develop initially across southeast Texas before pushing into southwest Louisiana later in the afternoon and evening hours.
Residents in cities like Houston, Beaumont, and Lake Charles are urged to remain alert and monitor local weather alerts. The moist, unstable atmosphere is fueling conditions favorable for severe weather development.
Travelers should prepare for rapidly changing conditions and avoid flooded roadways. Secure loose outdoor items and review tornado safety plans. The Storm Prediction Center advises keeping NOAA Weather Radios on and having shelter options ready in case warnings are issued later today.
