***STRONG AND SEVERE STORMS AFFECTING THE SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE KETK VIEWING AREA***
***A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE WESTERN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF EAST TEXAS UNTIL 8 AM. ANOTHER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 AM FOR THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF EAST TEXAS***
Most of the damage Wednesday night occurred in Van Zandt, Wood and Smith counites where numerous trees and powerlines were downed by wind gusts in excess of 65 mph. A tornado was spotted shortly after 9 PM just to the east of Mineola. Tree and power line damage was extensive along and near the Smith-Wood county line. Tens of thousands of East Texans were without power during the evening.
After a few more storms early this morning we should see some sunshine during the midday and afternoon hours with high temperatures reaching the low 90s once again. Then late this afternoon more storms could fire up as another upper disturbance interacts with a stationary front to our north. Therefore, more storms again this evening and overnight are possible. Friday should be partly sunny and hot, but there could be one more brief round of storms late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Then upper level high pressure will build back in leading to sunny and hot weather for most of next week with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and little if any chance for rain.
FORECAST DETAILS:
EARLY THIS MORNING: More occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms until around 8-9 AM and until 10 AM for the southern counties. Some areas will experience hard downpours, frequent lightning, brief gusty winds and possibly some scattered hail. More power outages are possible as well as some brief flooding of some streets and low lying areas. Low temperatures 67-72. Winds: Variable 10-20 mph.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON: Becoming partly sunny and warmer. High near 92. Winds SSW 10-15 mph.
Scattered thunderstorms are likely Thursday evening and Thursday night...a few could be heavy. Rain chances: at least 40%. Low temperatures: 68-75. Winds: Variable 10-15 mph, but with higher gusts near thunderstorns.
FRIDAY: Chance of a few early morning showers or thunderstorms, then partly sunny, very warm and humid. High 95. Winds SSW 10 mph.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds with a 30% chance of showers and storms overnight. Low 75.
SATURDAY: Early morning storms ending, then partly to mostly sunny, very warm and humid. High 96. Winds SSE 10-15 mph.
SUNDAY through WEDNESDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy hot and humid. Lows near 74 and Highs near 95. Winds S 10-20 mph.