A tornado watch has been issued for Southeast Texas, the Piney Woods of East Texas, and the Golden Triangle. This watch includes the Houston Metro, the Beaumont/Port Arthur/Orange metro, north to Lufkin and Jasper. The watch runs through 4 PM, but we’ll have storms east of Texas not long after lunchtime. Unlike the squall line overnight, we’re starting to see discrete supercell thunderstorms fire up. The strongest discrete supercells may become tornadic with all modes of severe weather possible. We’ll also have to watch for intensifying storms in the squall line as it moves east this morning – with damaging winds and perhaps brief tornadoes also a threat.

Just a reminder – we’ll be providing live coverage for any tornado warnings this morning. That live coverage will be posted to our weather blog/mobile app should it take place. Storms will be exiting Texas to the east a bit after lunchtime, at which point our severe weather issues will be done. Strong northwesterly winds will result in a high fire danger across the western third of Texas and South Texas/Rio Grande Valley this afternoon. Strong northwest winds will continue tonight and again tomorrow.

Sorry for the short update. With a potentially tornadic supercell about to move onshore just east of High Island, I expect I’ll be doing live coverage shortly. Keep an eye on the sky with our interactive weather radar here.