UNITED STATES — A broad but relatively low-end severe weather setup is unfolding across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and eastern New Mexico today, with the Storm Prediction Center outlining a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) stretching from the Desert Southwest into the Southern Plains. While tornadoes are not expected to be a primary concern, forecasters say damaging wind gusts and isolated severe hail remain possible through tonight.
According to the latest outlook valid through early Saturday morning, cities including Fort Stockton, Abilene, Midland, San Angelo, Wichita Falls, and Oklahoma City sit within the highlighted risk zone.
Where the Marginal Risk Is Focused
The shaded Marginal Risk corridor arcs from southern and western Texas northeastward into central and northern Oklahoma, with the following areas specifically included:
- Fort Stockton
- Midland
- San Angelo
- Abilene
- Childress
- Wichita Falls
- Lawton
- Norman
- Oklahoma City
- Portions of Lubbock and surrounding West Texas communities
Eastern New Mexico communities such as Carlsbad, Hobbs, Roswell, Las Cruces, and Silver City are also within the broader thunderstorm zone, though the higher-end severe threat remains limited.
Meanwhile, major metros like Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Shreveport, and New Orleans are outside the primary severe corridor based on this outlook.
What’s Driving Today’s Setup?
The atmospheric pattern features modest instability and sufficient wind energy to support strong to locally severe thunderstorms, especially during peak afternoon and early evening hours…