|
Only have a minute? Listen instead
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The National Weather Service Brownsville-Rio Grande Valley reported Thursday afternoon that a slight chance exists for more strong storms to accompany another cold front expected to race through deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley Friday evening into very early Saturday.
Damaging winds and large hail are primary concerns with the line of showers and storms, NWS meteorologists said, adding that the timing of the potential storms is uncertain, though the latest forecast as of Thursday at 3 p.m. had the line of storms approaching the Rio Grande Plains and Brush County between 6 p.m. and midnight Friday and between 9 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday for Brooks/Kenedy County ranchlands and the Valley.
The line is expected to move from the northwest to the southeast into the Valley, bringing with it wind gusts as high as 60 mph — up to 70 mph in the strongest cells or within a squall line, according to NWS.
The “slight risk” forecast designation means scattered severe thunderstorms are possible as opposed to “marginal risk,” when isolated severe thunderstorms are possible.
Minor tree damage and roof damage to poorly built structures are possible, with worse damage possible in some areas; unanchored mobile homes and power lines are at risk for damage; and power outages are likely to occur in neighborhoods with high winds, meteorologists said.
Hail larger than one inch in diameter may occur, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is likely, and frequent to continuous lightning could knock out electricity to entire neighborhoods or sub-levels of larger cities and entire communities, and “several structural fires are possible,” according to NWS.
Residents of poorly built structures were advised to relocate into a sturdier structure, while lightweight objects should be stored away and vehicles moved into a garage or under a carport or canopy, NWS said.
