Dallas County was staring down a stormy night yesterday, with a tornado watch in effect until 11 p.m. as a strong spring system marches across North Texas. Forecasts say the setup could spin up tornadoes, drop large hail, and unleash damaging straight-line winds across parts of the metro during the late afternoon and evening. Local officials are urging residents to lock in a shelter plan now and stay alert for rapid-fire updates.
The Irving Police Department posted on X that the watch covers all of Dallas County and runs until 11:00 p.m., according to the Irving Police Dept. Local TV weather teams are already juggling multiple severe alerts across North Texas, and CBS Texas has logged several tornado and severe-thunderstorm warnings earlier in the evening as storms fired up east of the dryline.
Tornado Watch for Dallas County in TX until 11:00pm.
— Irving Police Dept. (@IrvingPD) April 25, 2026
SPC Flags Elevated Tornado and Hail Threat
The Storm Prediction Center's Day 1 outlook puts parts of northern Texas and adjacent Oklahoma in a heightened severe-weather zone for Saturday, warning that the atmosphere could support very large hail and a couple of strong tornadoes in discrete supercells, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Forecasters say intense supercells are possible where the warm front and dryline intersect this afternoon and evening. That setup can change fast, so exact timing and locations may shift as storms evolve.
What a Watch Means and How to Get Ready
A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and serves as a heads-up to be ready to act, per the National Weather Service. Now is the time to pick out an interior, windowless room or other safe shelter, charge your phones, and make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts (NOAA Weather Radio, wireless emergency alerts, and local broadcasts). If a Tornado Warning is issued for your location, move to that safe spot immediately, stay away from windows, and remain there until the warning is lifted.
Local Impacts and Timing
Local forecasts point to late afternoon through the evening as the prime window for storms moving into the Metroplex, with the highest threat generally between about 7 and 10 p.m., CBS Texas reports. Expect the potential for damaging wind gusts, hail big enough to dent vehicles, and brief tornadoes that can spin up with very little notice. Keep an eye on local radar, and if a warning is issued for your area, head to your safe place immediately.
If you are in Dallas County, now is the time to test your weather alerts and confirm where you will shelter if warnings pop up. Irving Police Department also notes its X account is not monitored for calls for service and asks that anyone needing emergency assistance call 911.
