Tornado Watch Issued for Southern Arkansas, Western and Central Louisiana, East and Southeast Texas Coastal Waters

Strategic Insights -

A *Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of Southern Arkansas, Western and Central Louisiana, East and Southeast Texas Coastal Waters, effective from 1000 AM until 1000 PM CDT on Monday, July 8, 2024. The Storm Prediction Center has warned of a high risk of tornadoes and isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible in the area.

The watch area is approximately 80 statute miles east and west of a line from 20 miles southwest of Port Arthur, TX to 45 miles west northwest of El Dorado, AR. The primary threats include several tornadoes likely and isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible.

The risk is expected to expand north-northeastward across additional parts of East/Northeast Texas, Western/Northern Louisiana, and eventually Southern Arkansas through late afternoon and evening. As Tropical cyclone Beryl moves northward, a strong atmospheric wind associated with its movement will be favorable for low-topped supercells capable of tornadoes through this afternoon and early evening.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a *Tornado Watch for portions of Southern Arkansas, Western and Central Louisiana, East and Southeast Texas Coastal Waters.
  • The watch is effective from 1000 AM until 1000 PM CDT on Monday, July 8, 2024.
  • A high risk of tornadoes and isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible is expected in the area.
  • The watch area is approximately 80 statute miles east and west of a line from 20 miles southwest of Port Arthur, TX to 45 miles west northwest of El Dorado, AR.
  • The risk is expected to expand north-northeastward across additional parts of East/Northeast Texas, Western/Northern Louisiana, and eventually Southern Arkansas through late afternoon and evening.
  • Tropical cyclone Beryl's northward movement is associated with a strong atmospheric wind favorable for low-topped supercells capable of tornadoes through this afternoon and early evening.
  • A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
  • Persons in the watch area should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

Statistics:

  • Effective time: 1000 AM CDT on Monday, July 8, 2024, until 1000 PM CDT on the same day.
  • Watch area: Approximately 80 statute miles east and west of a line from 20 miles southwest of Port Arthur, TX to 45 miles west northwest of El Dorado, AR.
  • Tornado risk: Several tornadoes likely.
  • Damaging wind gusts: Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible.
  • Atmospheric wind: Strong atmospheric wind associated with Tropical cyclone Beryl's northward movement.
  • Storm motion vector: 16040.
  • Cumulonimbus maximum tops: 500.

Sources:

  • NWS Storm Prediction Center. (2024, July 8). Tornado Watch Number 514. Retrieved from