Dangerous storms target Houston while moving across South

HOUSTON – The nation’s fourth-largest city is facing a serious severe weather threat Thursday as storms tear across the South.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has outlined an area in Southeast Texas in a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather threat zone, including the Houston metro, starting Thursday afternoon. Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are possible with any severe storms that develop.

THE SPC 5-POINT SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK CATEGORY SCALE EXPLAINED

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The SPC has also highlighted a so-called hatched area for the potential of strong tornadoes, meaning EF-2 or higher. The Houston metro is also included in that zone.

HOW ARE TORNADOES RATED? THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE EXPLAINED

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Forecasters said that supercell thunderstorms are possible at the onset of the event, but will eventually become more of a squall line. Those initial thunderstorms are when the threat of strong tornadoes will be highest.

The storms will later move east into Louisiana where a Level 2 out of 5 zone has been outlined. Hail and damaging winds will be the primary concerns with storms by the time they make it into Louisiana.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

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Now is the time to ensure you have a way to get weather alerts that are issued for your area. The FOX Weather app can send you alerts for your specific location and also features a 3D radar so you can track storms.

Last strong tornado in Houston area was in January 2023

While winter may seem like an odd time to experience severe weather, the last major tornado in the Houston area happened in January 2023. 

The EF-3 twister tore a path through the Houston suburbs of Pasadena and Deer Park on Jan. 24. At least three people were injured as winds of 140 mph ripped apart buildings.

This was the first time the National Weather Service Office in Houston issued a Tornado Emergency.

TWISTER THAT DEVASTATED HOUSTON SUBURBS RATED AT LEAST EF-3