Severe Thunderstorm Warning Tonight: Live Radar, Impact Zones & Must-Know Safety Tips

A volatile Memorial Day weather pattern is unfolding across the South and Southern Plains today as the National Weather Service (NWS) issues multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Watches from central Texas through Arkansas, northern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center have placed this entire corridor under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe storms, highlighting the potential for damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and hail up to—or even exceeding—2 inches in diameter. Texas: Overnight supercells that pelted the Hill Country with grapefruit-sized hail are racing east and are expected to re-intensify this afternoon as daytime heating pushes temperatures into the upper 80s. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for most of North and Central Texas through 5 a.m., with the Fort Worth/Dallas NWS office warning of isolated 70-mph wind gusts and localized power outages. Arkansas & Louisiana: As the Texas line segments, it will slide into a moisture-rich environment over the Ark-La-Tex. Storms here may evolve into bowing structures capable of producing widespread straight-line wind damage along the I-30 and I-49 corridors. Travelers returning from holiday gatherings should have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially after sunset when storm motion accelerates. Mississippi & Alabama: The same frontal boundary will reach the Deep South by evening. ABC 33/40 in Birmingham notes that counties west of I-65 are already under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 p.m., with forecasters urging residents to secure outdoor furniture and remain weather-aware during evening barbecues. What’s driving the outbreak? • A potent upper-level trough diving across the Four Corners region is providing strong mid-level winds that will overspread rich Gulf moisture surging northward. • Surface dew points in the low 70s and steep lapse rates aloft are creating CAPE values exceeding 2,500 J/kg—fuel for explosive updrafts. • A sharpening dryline in West Texas will act as a trigger for discrete supercells before storms congeal into a fast-moving squall line overnight. Holiday impacts USA Today warns that the same system may disrupt Memorial Day travel and outdoor events well into Tuesday as it drags a cold front toward the Atlantic coast. Beachgoers from the Florida Panhandle to the Carolinas should anticipate rapid changes in weather and heed beach-patrol instructions when thunder roars. Safety checklist during a Severe Thunderstorm Warning today • Move indoors immediately; stay away from windows. • Avoid driving under overpasses—wind speeds can be stronger in those locations. • Charge mobile devices in case of power loss and enable Wireless Emergency Alerts. • If boating or camping, relocate to a sturdy building and avoid tall, isolated trees. • After the storm, watch for downed power lines and report them to authorities. Outlook beyond today The Storm Prediction Center suggests the threat may shift eastward into Georgia and the Carolinas tomorrow, but residual outflow boundaries could spark additional strong storms behind the main line. Keep NOAA Weather Radio or trusted local media close at hand and review your family’s severe weather plan now. Key SEO takeaways: The phrase “severe thunderstorm warning” remains the critical alert term; pairing it with location-based keywords like “today in Texas,” “Memorial Day weekend storms,” and “large hail and damaging winds” ensures that those searching for real-time threat information find the latest life-saving updates.