Austin Area Braces For Severe Weather [Expired]

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- After unseasonably warm temperatures in the days leading up to Christmas, parts of Texas are about to experience a severe weather storm—with the likelihood of hail, damaging wind gusts and even tornadoes possible in some areas.

According to Texasstormchasers.com, the severe weather stretches over a wide swath: Across Central Texas; the Hill Country; North Texas; eastern Concho Valley; and portions of East Texas.
An elevated Level 2 risk level (out of five) in in place for those regions, but could be upgraded as the winter storm materializes, Texasstormchasers.com officials said.

By Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere starting to become unstable as evidenced by the sharp contrast in climate from the past few days. Resulting wind shears now enhance formation of organized thunderstorms.

Texasstormchasers reports the conditions set the stage for large hail, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes.
Tornadic activity chances are expected to be highest into the evening hours Saturday.

Severe weather is expected to continue on Sunday covering Central Texas; South Texas; Southeast Texas; East Texas; and Northeast Texas.

The chances for a major flood event are expected across North Texas, Northeast Texas and East Texas as a result of the changed climactic dynamics.

In West Texas, an arctic cold front is expected to descend in the Rio Grande area, with snow, sleet and freezing rain through Sunday, according to CNN News.

Heavy snowfall of up to 18 inches is expected through Sunday evening across much of western and northeastern Texas—with 18 to 24 inches forecast across portions of neighboring New Mexico.