Strong To Severe Storms Arrive Today

THIS MORNING - Temperatures are in the mid 60s across the region this morning, very mild for the last day of October.  A few closely scattered showers and thunderstorms are about across the metroplex as well.  Temperatures will go the wrong way with the cold front coming through, falling to the low 60s by the evening.

STORMY AFTERNOON/EVENING AHEAD - A potent weather system will bring the threat of severe storms across Southern Texas this evening.  Higher instability values will be located over southeastern Texas through central Louisiana, but higher helicity values are located near the northeastern tip of Texas.  The best combination of all severe weather parameters will be located in southeastern Texas.   The SPC has defined the "enhanced risk" (level 3/5) of severe storms from areas to the east of Austin to the west of Jackson, Mississippi.  There is the standard "slight risk" (level 2/5) of severe storms defined from Ozona, Texas through Central Mississippi.  And, there is a "marginal risk" (level 1/5) of severe storms defined for much of the DFW metroplex.

- The main window for heavy rain for North Texas will be from 7AM through 9PM this evening.

- A few cells producing gusty winds and small hail can't be ruled out during the afternoon evening hours, especially for our southern counties.

- Rain throughout the day will be heavy at times, with amounts of 1-3 inches likely to close out the wettest October on record.

Be sure to follow ApexStorm on Twitter for forecast updates as activity begins to increase.  Thursday (November 1) represents the beginning of late severe weather season here (November and December).

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND - Clouds will linger throughout the day on Friday, but it will be another comfortable day with highs in the lower 70s.  Then, the weekend will feature sunny skies Saturday and Sunday.  We will stay in the lower 70s throughout the weekend.  Morning lows will be in the mid 50s each day.

NEXT WEEK - Most of next week looks mostly sunny and dry with highs in the 60s... See the Texas Weather Discussion Video for more details.

TROPICS - Hurricane Oscar is in the Central Atlantic, packing sustained winds of 75 mph.  It will continue its journey to the northeast, away from land.  The rest of the Atlantic Basin is quiet.