Severe weather is predicted Wednesday evening across Northeast Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana, with the possibility of large hail and damaging winds.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Shreveport reports that regions along and north of Interstate 20 are at the highest danger of severe thunderstorms. A modest danger (Level 2 of 5) exists, indicating that scattered severe storms are possible. The main dangers are hail up to 2 inches in diameter, wind gusts above 60 mph, and rare tornadoes.
The hatching area on the NWS forecast indicates sites, such as Texarkana and Shreveport, where there is a 10% or higher risk of hail larger than 2 inches within 25 miles of a point. Hail the size of a quarter or larger is also conceivable throughout the region.
Residents should be aware of the weather and have multiple ways to receive alerts. Secure outside objects, move vehicles to covered locations if possible, and plan to seek shelter if warnings are issued.
Storms are expected to develop in the late afternoon and intensify into the evening hours. Travelers along I-20 should exercise caution and stay vigilant for updates from local meteorologists and the National Weather Service.