Severe storms complicate Thanksgiving travel in Texas and southern states.
A line of thunderstorms is moving east from Texas, bringing heavy rain, dangerous winds, possible supercells, and flight delays
Early Monday morning began with thunderstorms that lashed North Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, especially along the Interstate 20 and 35 corridors, affecting millions of travelers already on the road for the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to forecasts, Even stronger storms are expected Monday afternoon, which could cause additional flight delays and road complications as the system moves eastward.
Possible development of supercell storms
The system already brought severe conditions over the weekend to West Texas, where a supercell storm formed in Grandfalls on Sunday.
These types of storms have the potential to produce large hail, destructive winds, and tornadoes.
A second round of storms is expected over North and East Texas on Monday, also with the potential to develop into supercells.
More than 400 flights delayed in Dallas
The first impact of the severe weather was felt in air travel, with more than 485 flights delayed Sunday at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, according to the monitoring firm FlightAware.
With more storms on the way, the risk of Delays continue for early Thanksgiving flights.
Storm and Flood Warnings
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm warning for East Texas, Northern Louisiana, Southern Arkansas, and Eastern Mississippi.
Houston is just outside that area, though it could also experience strong storms on Monday.
Meanwhile, flood warnings cover North Texas, including the Dallas metro area, due to continued rainfall over already saturated areas.
Forecasts include 1 to 3 inches of accumulated rainfall through the end of Monday.
The strongest flood warning is for the Ark-La-Tex region, where the NOAA Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood warning for Dallas; Shreveport, Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; and Memphis, Tennessee.
Improving Tuesday in Texas, but storms are moving forward
Travel conditions will begin to improve in Texas on Tuesday, as storms move eastward, bringing heavy rain to Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia.
This includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest in the country, which could see increased delays as the system continues its path across the southeastern United States.