Severe storms and hail will hit Texas before cold front brings low into the 30s

Severe storms could hit parts of Texas midweek before a cold front sweeps through much of the state, bringing lows near freezing to some areas.

Isolated strong to severe storms could bring hail and damaging winds to the Midland-Odessa area Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service Midland-Odessa office. Forecasters warn that localized flash flooding poses the greatest risk, beginning Tuesday evening and continuing through Friday.

In the Panhandle, residents can also expect severe weather Tuesday afternoon or evening, likely between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., according to the NWS Amarillo office.

“The risk of severe weather will increase on Tuesday as a weather system approaches the area,” Amarillo forecasters wrote. “Threats include ping-pong ball-sized hail, winds up to 60 mph and a very low tornado risk.”

Another chance of severe storms is forecast for the area Wednesday, bringing a risk of quarter-sized hail, wind gusts of 60 mph and a very low tornado risk. Heavy rain is expected with any developing storms, which could lead to flooding issues.

“Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary dangers from any storm that becomes severe,” Amarillo forecasters wrote in their outlook. “As Wednesday morning approaches, the threat of severe thunderstorms diminishes but remains a non-zero chance.”

The arrival of a cold front will bring fall-like weather to much of Texas this weekend, with some areas possibly getting a taste of winter.

In the Panhandle, forecasters warn that temperatures could drop significantly, especially overnight.

“From Friday through the start of the weekend, temperatures are expected to be much cooler across the Panhandle. High temperatures may not even escape the 50s Friday afternoon,” Amarillo forecasters wrote. “We are also monitoring the risk of freezing temperatures Saturday morning, as current forecast lows drop into the mid 30s in our northern areas.”

In the Midland-Odessa area, residents can expect highs below 70 degrees and lows below 60 degrees by Friday and Saturday.

Southeast Texans can expect “cooler and windier” weather, according to the NWS Houston-Galveston office. Showers and thunderstorms could develop and a windy weekend looks likely.

“This system is poised to send a cold front toward southeast Texas of fairly significant strength, closer to what can be expected in the fall,” Houston forecasters wrote in their outlook.

For the Dallisites, temperatures will drop to highs in the 70s and low 80s, with lows in the 40s and upper 50s. A slight chance of precipitation accompanies the front, primarily west of I-35, according to the NWS Dallas-Fort Worth office.

Similar temperatures are expected to reach Central Texas as the front moves through Thursday or Friday, according to the NWS Austin-San Antonio office. Temperatures could drop further as forecasts evolve.