Tornadoes, large hail possible across Dallas-Fort Worth

Texas officials are mobilizing emergency resources ahead of a multi-day severe weather threat expected to impact North Texas through early next week, with the greatest risk forecast for Sunday.

Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate response assets as storms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds approach the Dallas-Fort Worth region on Friday.

“The State of Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to help local officials respond to potential severe weather,” Abbott said. “Texans are encouraged to monitor road conditions regularly, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials.”

State resources on standby include swiftwater rescue teams, urban search and rescue units, ambulances and road condition monitoring crews. Officials have also positioned helicopters and all-terrain vehicles to assist with potential water rescues.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the severe weather pattern will build through the weekend and persist into midweek, with repeated rounds of storms likely each afternoon and evening.

Friday is expected to remain relatively calm, with partly sunny skies and highs in the low 80s across much of North Texas. Isolated showers and thunderstorms may develop south of the Metroplex, with a limited risk of small hail and gusty winds.

Storm chances will increase Saturday afternoon, particularly west of Dallas-Fort Worth, before a more organized system moves in overnight into early Sunday. That system is expected to bring widespread rain and lightning, along with the potential for damaging winds.

Sunday presents the most significant threat. Meteorologists say that if morning cloud cover clears, atmospheric instability could increase rapidly, creating favorable conditions for all modes of severe weather, including tornadoes and large hail.

The unsettled pattern is expected to continue through at least Wednesday, with forecasters warning that, while the exact timing remains uncertain, conditions will remain conducive to strong-to-severe storms across North, Central, and parts of West Texas.

Officials are also monitoring wildfire risks in West and Northwest Texas, where dry conditions and high winds could combine with the incoming system to create additional hazards.

Residents are urged to be weather-aware, monitor forecasts, and have emergency plans in place as conditions evolve.