North Texas got an early wake-up call today as the National Weather Service placed large parts of the region under a pre-dawn weather alert while a fast-moving line of strong thunderstorms raced to the northeast. Doppler radar showed storms sliding east at roughly 25 mph, with forecasters warning of damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and heavy rain. Counties from Wise through Denton to Montague and Cooke were in the path of the earliest cells, and drivers were warned to brace for slick roads and limited visibility.
According to the National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas, a severe thunderstorm warning issued at 4:41 a.m. CDT highlighted storms along a line from near Thackerville to Sanger that were moving east at about 25 mph. Forecasters flagged radar-indicated wind gusts up to 60 mph and noted a measured gust of 53 mph in Gainesville. The warning zone covered sections of Cooke and western Grayson counties and included Interstate 35 between mile markers 482 and 503.
Local reporting from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram breaks down the towns named in the alert, including Denton, Flower Mound, Gainesville and Sanger, and maps the overnight corridor where the storms marched through. The paper noted that Doppler radar tracked strong storms along a line from St. Jo to near Chico around 3:59 a.m., with the weather alert remaining in effect into the early morning hours. As reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, emergency officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improved.
Safety: Lightning And Wet-Road Risks
Lightning is a particular concern with these cells. The National Weather Service notes lightning strikes about 25 million times a year in the U.S. and causes roughly 20 fatalities annually. The agency recommends heading for a sturdy shelter and waiting 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before going back outside, according to the National Weather Service. Drivers are also reminded to watch for standing water: hydroplaning risk climbs with speed, water depth and worn tires, and AAA advises slowing down and steering clear of large puddles to maintain control on wet pavement.
What To Watch On The Roads
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's roundup points to travel impacts along I-35, I-35W and I-35E, listing towns from Denton and Decatur to Pilot Point and Gainesville within the alerted area and warning that conditions could turn hazardous. Motorists in the warned counties were told to ease off the gas, use headlights, avoid flooded sections and give road and utility crews room to work until the line of storms moves out.
Officials also recommend keeping a charged phone handy and enabling local weather alerts. If conditions deteriorate, follow instructions from local emergency management and stick to official forecasts. Check the National Weather Service and local media for the latest updates before heading out.
