Abbott puts emergency crews on standby amid threat of storms overnight in North Texas

A line of storms is expected to move through North Texas, perhaps as early as Sunday night, bringing the threat of heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds to the area, according to forecasters.

Areas along the western and northern edges of the region could see storms — along with a risk of a tornado — from about 02.00 to 06.00. As a precaution, Texas Governor Greg Abbott put emergency crews on standby.

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Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate the state’s emergency response resources, according to a news release.

“Communities in northwest Texas should prepare for heavy rain with the possibility of flash flooding tonight,” Abbott said in the release. “I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to ready emergency response resources to support local officials as their communities prepare for this storm. Texans are encouraged to remain weather aware, follow flood safety advisories and monitor road conditions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe security.”

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth calls damaging winds the primary concern. By Monday afternoon, that threat was expected to have moved east of Interstate 35.

Dallas-Fort Worth is expected to see a cold front starting late Tuesday, with “below normal” temperatures expected by the middle of next week.

The NWS is predicting afternoon highs in the 50s and 60s and overnight highs in the mid-30s to 40s for Wednesday through Friday.

Dallas forecast via KXAS-TV (NBC5):

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, windy and cool. Low: 45. High: 58. Wind: NW 10-20 mph with higher gusts.