Parts of Texas are under tornado watch after strong winds and heavy thunderstorms moved close to San Antonio, with at least one tornado confirmed.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado watch on March 18, which is expected to last until 5 a.m. CDT March 19. It warns of isolated tornadoes, hail the size of golf balls and damaging winds that could reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (mph).
At least one tornado was confirmed after a twister was reported in Taylor County early Thursday morning.
According to local broadcaster KTAB-TV, the tornado was reported by Taylor County Sheriff's deputies at 1:36 a.m. CDT near Tye. Two people have reportedly been hurt and at least one home has been damaged. The news outlet reported a second tornado near Impact seen by tornado spotters at 1:46 a.m CDT.
On Wednesday, NWS Fort Worth advised residents to seek immediate shelter after a tornado heading northeast was reported west of Chico at 9:34 p.m. CDT.
Meanwhile, NWS Austin/San Antonio reported severe thunderstorms swept through the area, bringing large hail and continuous lightening to parts of the state, including Val Verde Country and Edwards County. Damaging winds moved northeast.
The severe storms brought heavy rainfall, with the agency expecting a quarter-inch or more of rain overnight, though the NWS warned rainfall could exceed one inch. The highest levels are predicted to hit Texas' Big Country counties, while Dallas and Fort Worth remained under flood watch.
NEW #TORNADO video from my Sony 4K handheld of the earlier tornado near Chico, Texas. Turn up the volume! It got very loud and intense! #txwx @MyRadarWX pic.twitter.com/zCD1vxoTSA
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) March 19, 2020
The lower 48 states are experiencing a busy weather pattern. The NWS Weather Prediction Center warned of snow and blizzards in the Four Corners region, driven by a combination of developing low pressure system in the south and strong Canadian high pressure in the north. Snow levels of 6 to 12 inches are forecast for areas across the Mogollon Rim, Wasatch, and Central Rockies into Thursday. The Central Plains are expected to receive between 4 and 6 inches.
Blizzard warnings were issued for areas in western Nebraska and southeastern Wyoming on Thursday. Meteorologists warned residents may experience drifting snow and whiteout conditions.
Other parts of the country will experience showers and thunderstorms, with severe weather and flash flooding moving eastwards to Mississippi and Ohio. According to the NSW, the cold front will move eastwards on Friday, bringing showers and thunderstorms to the Northeast.
