LIVE UPDATES: Tornado Warning issued for Harris and Montgomery counties until noon

HOUSTON — Severe weather is expected today with a chance for strong winds, tornadoes, and potential flooding across the Houston area.

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Tornado Warning issued for parts of Harris and Montgomery counties until noon. This is in the Cypress area.

Tornado Warning issued for parts of Colorado, Austin and Waller counties until noon.

Tornado Warning issued for Harris, Fort Bend, Waller and Austin counties expired at 11:30 a.m.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for Harris County until 6 p.m.

TIMELINE: The timing of the severe weather.

• The strongest of the storms should be in the Houston area between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
• In the early afternoon, a squall line will develop along the incoming cold front, which could produce damaging winds and isolated tornadoes, especially for those south of I-10.
• The area could see wind gusts from 30 to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
• With the strong wind gusts, loose items could get blown around, high-profile vehicles could be impacted and residents are encouraged to secure outdoor items.
• Some areas could see heavy rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with isolated areas possibly getting more than 6 inches.

A Tornado Warning is issued by the local NOAA Office meteorologists who monitor the weather in the area. NOAA said they issue a warning when a tornado has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar and there is a serious threat to life and property in its path. During a tornado warning, you should act right away to find safe shelter.

During a Tornado Watch, tornadoes are possible in and around the watch area, according to NOAA. This means it is a good time to review your emergency plans. It is important to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued and if you spot one coming.

When a tornado warning is issued, it is important to act quickly, according to NOAA.

If you are home, be sure to go to a safe room or an interior room away from windows, which could get blown out.

If you are in a workplace or school, be sure to follow your tornado drill instructions and head to your shelter location. Again, stay away from windows. NOAA also advises against going into large open rooms like a cafeteria or gymnasium.

If you are outside, seek shelter inside a sturdy building. NOAA said to avoid sheds and storage facilities.

If you are in a vehicle, you are advised to drive to a sturdy shelter. If you are not able to get to a shelter, get down into your car or abandon it and head to a low-lying area like a ditch.

Some tornadoes form without any warning, so it is important to know what to look for. According to NOAA, these are the signs to look for:

• Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
• Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base — tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!
• Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can’t be seen.
• Day or night – Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn’t fade in a few seconds like thunder.
• Night – Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, possibly a tornado.
• Night – Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning — especially if it is visually in ground contact or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.

11:50 AM: Klein ISD reports that tornado warnings are affecting multiple areas in the district. Out of precaution, all students and staff have been moved inside the buildings and are sheltering in place according to their inclement weather procedures.

Waler ISD is also sheltering in place due to the severe weather.

11:35 AM: Tornado Warning was issued for parts of Harris and Montgomery counties until noon. This is in the Cypress area. 

This dangerous storm will be near Willowbrook around 11:45 a.m. Tomball and Hooks Airport around 11:50 a.m. Spring around 11:55 a.m.

11:25 AM: Tornado Warning issued for parts of Colorado, Austin and Waller counties until noon.

11:20 AM: All Houston ISD after-school activities are canceled today due to inclement weather 

11:05 AM: Tornado Warning issued for Harris, Fort Bend, Waller and Austin counties until 11:30 a.m.

10:50 AM: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for parts of Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Austin, Wharton, and Colorado counties until 11:15 a.m.

10:40 AM: A Tornado Warning has been issued for parts of Lavaca County until 11 a.m.

10:30 AM: Meteorologist Tim Pandajis says a Tornado Watch will likely be issued in the Houston area within the hour.

10:10 AM: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Dewitt, Gonzalez an Lavaca counties until 10:30 a.m.

8:55 AM: The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for El Campo, Ganado and Louis until 9:30 a.m.

7:55 AM: Early morning showers have already made for slick roadways during the rush commute.

8:30 PM: Houston ISD said it is monitoring the weather conditions, but nothing announcements have been made yet.