A pair of fronts and some vigorous upper-air winds help produce scattered severe thunderstorms across the southern Plains to the Gulf Coast states this afternoon and evening. 

The main area of concern for this evening will be found across the southern Plains. Here, a cold front sinking southward combined with a pool of cooler air aloft will help fuel scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. 

The government's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, across southeastern Kansas, central and eastern Oklahoma, and northern Texas. This includes cities such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla. and Wichita Falls, Texas. 

Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary impacts from thunderstorms today. However, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for a portion of northern Texas. Scattered large hail up to 2 inches in diameter and damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph are possible threats.

A secondary area of concern for strong to severe thunderstorms will stretch from eastern Texas eastward to northern Florida. Here, a nearly stalled front combined with some upper-air energy moving eastward will help fuel a few gusty thunderstorms along with the potential for some hail. 

Cities such as Houston, New Orleans, Jackson, Miss., Mobile, Ala., and Tallahassee, Fla. are at risk for a strong to locally severe thunderstorm this afternoon. 

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”