A wave of severe thunderstorms battered Texas Friday, pelting Southeast Texas with baseball-sized hail and disrupting air travel statewide as heavy rain and damaging winds swept through major metro areas.
On Friday, Southeast Texas experienced a severe weather event. Baseball-sized hail struck the region, driven by intense thunderstorms that moved through the state. The National Weather Service issued urgent alerts, leading to significant travel disruptions and widespread power outages.
A powerful storm system swept through the Houston area in the early afternoon, unleashing hailstones that reached diameters of up to 2.75 inches. The severe weather resulted in shattered windshields and significant damage to rooftops across the region. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area, alerting residents to the possibility of hail, wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, and the risk of flash flooding.
Residents in neighborhoods including Cypress, Katy, and Spring reported loud impacts and damage to vehicles and homes as photos and videos of the giant hailstones rapidly circulated on social media.
Harris County emergency officials issued a public advisory, warning that this type of hail poses significant dangers and can cause extensive damage. "Residents are advised to remain indoors and avoid traveling on the roads."
Severe weather conditions led to major interruptions in air travel. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has announced a ground delay effective until 11 p.m., resulting in over 125 flights being delayed by mid-afternoon. Delays were also reported at William P. Hobby Airport.
On Friday, storm activity significantly impacted the state, leading to a ground stop at DFW International Airport in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Dallas Love Field and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced temporary shutdowns due to severe weather conditions, including high winds and lightning strikes.
Authorities reported that downed trees and power lines have resulted in scattered outages across multiple areas. They cautioned that hazardous driving conditions could continue into the evening hours.
The National Weather Service reported that these storms have the potential to generate short-lived yet influential bursts of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and large hail. Authorities advise drivers to avoid flooded roads and stay updated on alerts regarding hazardous conditions.
As the most severe weather conditions are anticipated to diminish later on Friday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms will likely persist in some areas. Weather forecasts indicate a shift towards drier and more stable conditions this weekend, providing a much-needed respite following a tumultuous week of storms in Texas.
