Texas to see wild bout of weather with rare blizzard, tornadoes

From El Paso to San Antonio to Dallas, there’s a wind advisory in place from the National Weather Service as a massive storm moves across the United States, bringing with it all kinds of weather. In the Panhandle, it’s expected to bring several inches of snow, creating dangerous traveling conditions as whiteouts are forecasted.

Here’s all the wild weather slated for Monday.

The National Weather Service is warning of a blizzard sweeping through the South, hitting the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles Monday, January 8. The national agency has issued a hazardous weather outlook, warning the area could see between 1 and 8 inches of snow.

“A blizzard warning is in effect for the Oklahoma Panhandle as well as the western and northern Texas Panhandle through 6 a.m. Tuesday,” the warning reads. “Snowfall accumulations of 1 to 8 inches are expected along with north winds gusting as high as 65 mph, resulting in visibility below a quarter of a mile at time in whiteout conditions.”

What is a whiteout? It’s defined as a winter weather condition when snow blankets an area and where objects don’t cast a shadow, the horizon is no longer visible, and only dark objects can be made out in the distance. Essentially, it’s a dangerous blizzard condition where there’s little visibility for those out in the storm.

Along with the bouts of snow expected to hit the panhandle – which just saw its first snow of the season last week – there’s a wind advisory for the northern most bit of Texas much like the rest of the state. The National Weather Service warns winds of 35 to 40 mph with guts upwards of 60 mph could continue all through Monday and into Tuesday morning.

While it’s expected to be a dicey day Monday for the Texas Panhandle, the weather is expected to clear up a bit headed into the rest of the week as the sun begins to emerge Tuesday afternoon. However, temperatures in cities like Amarillo are expected to continue to plummet into the 20s and even hit 16 degrees Thursday night as yet another snow storms swoops in.

There’re strong wind warnings for much of Texas as a cold front moves across the U.S., bringing with it strong winds and the chance of severe thunderstorms. With this combination, the National Weather Service is warning there could be increased risk of tornadoes across Southeast Texas.

“There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms across the central Gulf Coast tonight into early Tuesday morning,” The National Weather Service warns. “Severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts and tornadoes are expected from southeast Texas across the central Gulf Coast this afternoon into early Tuesday morning.”

Ahead of the wind advisory – which is impacting the entire southern portion of Texas from El Paso to Dallas – a tornado has already touched down in Brazoria County Friday, January 5, as confirmed by the National Weather Service who issued a tornado warning that morning.

For San Antonio, the National Weather Agency is warning of sustained winds between 20 and 35 mph and wind gusts that could reach between 50 and 55 mph a as Pacific cold front moves across the U.S. from the northwest. These conditions could create for dangerous fire conditions, according to the government agency. Further, strong winds and storms in the Texas Hill Country, namely towns like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels, could see tornadoes.

“A few strong to severe storms will be possible mid to late morning into the afternoon along and east of a Fredericksburg to New Braunfels to Speaks line,” the National Weather Service warns. “Strong to damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes possible.”

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for much of the greater Austin-San Antonio area – a warning of potential fire risks amid low humidity and high winds – from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, January 8. The wind advisory remains in effect all of Monday until noon Tuesday, January 9.

Chilly temps in the 20s and strong winds are also projected for much of Southwest Texas, including major cities like El Paso, according to the National Weather Service. The agency is warning of sustained winds between 25 and 35 mph with gusts blowing through at 50 mph. Dust is sure to blow across the western portions of the Lone Star State, and there may be chances of light rain and snow.

Further Northeast, the national forecaster is warning those in cities like Dallas to secure any loose objects outside as strong winds blow across the Brazos Valley and eastern Central Texas which are expected to continue to billow through North Central Texas all of Monday and until 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 9. Beyond heavy winds, the National Weather Service warns of strong to severe storms Monday morning and into the afternoon.