My (Wet) Fort Worth Zoo Trip

Earlier today, I was going to the Fort Worth Zoo with family and friends after a 2 month delay, knowing the risk of severe weather would be in place for the North Texas region. It first started out as a lightning show in Irving while we were waiting on the train to Fort Worth. One lightning strike was so close, that I could see a puff of smoke blowing north (that lightning had to have charred something). When the train finally came in after a few signal glitches, it was off to the FW Zoo. Everything was going well and while the ladies went one way, we went another while waiting for the "Boo at the Zoo" exhibit. By the time we regrouped in the cafeteria, the rain started falling at 12:30PM. Only a few lightning strikes and heavy rain was seen. Just when we thought the rain was gonna let up after lunch, another round of rain soon follows. Then another, then another then another. The "Boo at the Zoo" exhibit was cancelled for the day as well as the train rides from the Texas Wild section to the front enterance/exit. While severe weather happened elsewhere, none of the storms at the Fort Worth Zoo were severe. We just got rained on, that's all. Some more than others as they were caught off guard hoping it would be a nice (even if it's a cloudy) day. The good news is that we felt the cool breeze that came with the stormy event.

What's ironic is that I was showing my friends the artificial severe weather the Texas Hall of Wonders had to offer.

The chance of thunderstorms continues through Sunday.

Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms on Friday

The Storm Prediction Center has outlined the Northwestern half of our region under a slight risk of severe thunderstorms on Friday, generally along and west/northwest of a Sherman, DFW Airport, Stephenville; as well as along and north of Eastland and Abilene. An active weather pattern is setting up from Friday through the weekend as an upper-level low moves across the southern and central plains, bring scattered thunderstorms. Some could turn severe, especially in and around the slight risk area with large hail, and damaging winds. An isolated tornado or 2 is also possible, but uncertainties such as the timing remain. Flash flooding doesn't appear to be a threat at this point, but if you see any flooding, Turn Around, Don't Drown. If a Tornado Warning is issued, take cover in a sturdy structure. NEVER open any and all windows as it may cause severe and possibly fatal results. If no shelter is found, lie flat in the lowest ditch.

As we continue to look at this possible activity in the next 48-hours, check back for further updates or stay tuned to your local media outlets (including NOAA All-Hazards Radio) for additional information.

Image provided by the Storm Prediction Center.

Weekend Weather Synopsis / Severe Weather Possibilities

The weekend started off nice and cool early in the morning as over 26,000 participants (including me) attended the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event in Dallas. Skies were fair to partly cloudy with temperatures started in the mid 50s since 5AM. Summer wasn't entirely through with the North Texas region yet as highs topped the mid 80s yesterday and today.

A cold front is expected to sweep through our region by Tuesday, bringing a chance of thunderstorms. The severe weather threat has dropped significantly after the Low Pressure and Difluence (the split between low pressure and Jet Stream) has moved west to New Mexico. However, I can't rule out an isolated severe thunderstorm or 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially east of the I-35 corridor.

There's another chance of thunderstorms from Thursday on, especially during the opening of Fort Worth Zoo's 19th annual "Boo At the Zoo" Halloween exhibit this coming weekend. You and your kids (if applicable) may have to bring raincoats and umbrellas as a precaution, but I hope it doesn't rain on that Saturday.