Severe weather in Texas and Louisiana brings tornado watch, hail, flooding and flight delays

A tornado watch was issued Thursday night for parts of Texas and Louisiana as a line of powerful thunderstorms unleashed large hail, strong winds, and heavy rain across the South-Central US, while causing widespread flight disruptions at major airports.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated state emergency-response resources earlier in the day, anticipating severe weather throughout the eastern half of the state.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings for thunderstorms across northern, central, eastern, and southeastern Texas, accompanied by flash flood advisories in response to heavy rainfall.

Severe Weather Threatens Texas: Hail, Flooding, and Tornado Risk

As the storms developed Thursday, they intensified, moving northeast at speeds of about 40 mph.

Forecasters identified hail and localised flooding as the primary risks, although the possibility of an isolated tornado could not be ruled out. By late afternoon, temperatures in Texas were expected to reach near 60°F, with conditions improving later in the day.

A ground stop was implemented at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) due to the severe weather, with flight delays expected to continue until 1 pm.

By Thursday evening, more than 500 flights had been canceled, and over 200 others delayed. Additional delays were reported at other Texas airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Dallas Love Field.

Texas tornado reported near El Campo

A possible tornado was reported near El Campo in Wharton County, Texas, located approximately 70 miles southwest of Houston. The tornado, which was spotted moving northeast toward the town of Pierce, caused damage to some barns. No injuries were reported. Local authorities urged residents to stay cautious and weather-aware as the storm system continued its eastward track.

West Coast weather: Atmospheric river bring rains and snow

Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest faced severe weather due to an atmospheric river, resulting in heavy rain, snow, and strong winds. The National Weather Service warned of 1 to 3 inches of rain across parts of California, Oregon, and Washington, raising concerns of flooding and mudslides, especially in areas impacted by recent wildfires.

Blizzard warnings were also issued for the Cascades and Olympic Mountains, where up to 2 feet of snow was expected, with a high risk of avalanches. Travel was strongly discouraged in affected areas, as heavy snow could lead to dangerous road conditions and power outages.

Impact on travel: Ground stops and delays across airports

Flight disruptions were widespread, with ground stops and delays affecting several major airports. In addition to those at Dallas-Fort Worth and George Bush Intercontinental, San Francisco International Airport faced delays due to high winds and storm conditions.

Travelers across the US were advised to check for flight updates as ongoing storms were expected to continue affecting holiday travel plans.

The storms are expected to continue moving eastward, with the severe weather threat extending into parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.