North Texas faces a significant overnight severe weather threat Wednesday night into Thursday morning. KRLD Chief Meteorologist Dan Brounoff is tracking a storm system the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth says could bring strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain, large hail, and damaging winds — and a tornado cannot be ruled out.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has identified Wednesday night as one of the best chances for storms during an unsettled mid-to-late week stretch, with a few strong to severe storms possible across the region.
For Dallas County specifically, Brounoff is forecasting a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening hours, transitioning to more widespread showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Temperatures will hold in the mid-60s overnight, with south winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. The overall precipitation chance is 80 percent.
Near DFW International Airport, Brounoff says the NWS is calling for showers and thunderstorms mainly after 1 a.m., a low near 65°, and between a half and three quarters of an inch of rainfall possible — though higher totals are likely in any severe cells.
Brounoff is also watching a second round of storm chances the NWS has flagged for Friday night into Saturday, with the potential for severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall spreading across the DFW Metroplex, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Sherman, and Waco. Rain could intensify quickly along major corridors like I-35, I-20, and U.S. 75, leading to ponding on roads.
Rain showers are expected to continue into Saturday night before gradually tapering, with a chance for drier conditions on Easter Sunday.
Because the storms are expected to arrive after midnight while most residents are asleep, emergency preparedness officials stress the importance of having a way to receive weather warnings without relying solely on sight or sound. Residents should make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on their cell phones and consider keeping a NOAA Weather Radio nearby. Charge all devices before bed and identify a safe interior room on the lowest floor of your home, away from windows.
If power goes out during the storms, North Texans can continue to receive live updates by streaming at KRLD.com or through the Audacy, iHeart, or TuneIn apps, or by asking a smart speaker to play 1080 KRLD. Brounoff and the KRLD Storm Center team will provide updates at least every 15 minutes during any period of active severe weather.
Do not drive through flooded roadways. Water as shallow as six inches can sweep a person off their feet, and just 12 inches can float a small vehicle.
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KRLD Chief Meteorologist Dan Brounoff is tracking a storm system that could bring strong to severe thunderstorms
