Severe Storms Threaten Southern Texas, South | WeatherBug
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Severe Storms Threaten Southern Texas, South

May 28, 2020
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologists, Alyssa Robinette and James West
After several days of flooding rain and potent storms in the nation’s midsection, the threat for heavy rain and severe weather shifts south and east. Even so, parts of Texas will still contend with severe storms bringing damaging winds and hail.

A stalled front is draped from southern and eastern Texas northeastward into Mississippi Valley and Midwest. This front will slowly advance south and east today ahead of a second cold front, which will bring a reinforcing shot of colder, drier air. Strong to severe thunderstorms could bubble up this afternoon and evening along the boundary of warmer, more humid air to the south and east and colder and drier air to the north. Storms will be possible ahead of the front, putting the Southern Plains, South, Midwest, Great Lakes and most of the eastern U.S. at risk.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for southern Texas. This includes the cities of San Antonio, Del Rio and Fredericksburg, Texas. 

The best chance for severe weather will be in southwestern Texas and parts of the Deep South. This includes Del Rio, Texas, Jackson, Miss., and Birmingham, Ala. The main concerns will be damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 knots and quarter-size hail, but an isolated tornado or two or extreme hail cannot be ruled out.

Those from southern Texas and Gulf Coast into the Tennessee Valley and Mid-Atlantic will need to keep a close eye though on any changing weather. Cities such as Houston, New Orleans, Greenville, Miss., Birmingham, Ala., Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis Tenn., Columbia, S.C., Charlotte, N.C. Charleston, W. Va., and Roanoke, Va., will all be at risk for gusty winds up to 50 mph and small hail.

In addition to the severe weather threat, heavy downpours and flooding will be a concern due to an abundant supply of moisture being transported into the South and East Coast. Parts the Ohio Valley could see 1 to 3 inches fall today due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Bertha, though some higher amounts are possible. Elsewhere, a quick inch or two could drench already very saturated grounds due to recent heavy rain. If you approach a flooded road, remember to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”

Just like the nation's midsection earlier this week, this cold front will be slow to propogate east Friday into Saturday, so additional rounds of heavy rain and strong to severe storms will be possible.

Make sure you know the difference between a watch and warning should they be issued. A watch means that severe weather conditions are possible, and you should be aware of rapidly changing skies. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should take cover immediately. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”