The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for a number of counties in East Texas, including Cherokee, Rusk, Wood, Smith, and several others, effective until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant as the watch indicates potential for tornado development.
Additionally, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is currently active for Rusk, Shelby, and Panola counties until 4:45 p.m. on the same day. This warning indicates the possibility of strong winds and heavy rainfall in the affected areas.
Weather forecasts for the upcoming days depict a transition from stormy conditions to calmer weather. On Saturday, expect partly cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms, bringing a 60% chance of rain. Daytime temperatures are anticipated to reach a high of 86 degrees, with south winds at 10-15 MPH.
Looking ahead, Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny and cooler, with a low of 58 and a high of 78. The weather will continue to warm on Monday, reaching a high of 86 degrees again, while Tuesday will bring partly cloudy skies with a low of 63 and a high of 81.
By midweek, temperatures will range from a low of 59 to a high of 82, with partly cloudy conditions prevailing. Further into the week, Thursday and Friday may bring isolated showers, with chances of precipitation around 20%.
Residents should stay updated on changing weather conditions, especially given the current warnings and the forecasted instability in the atmosphere.