A tornado warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for Jack County in north-central Texas after a twister was spotted on the ground in nearby Montague County earlier in the afternoon, prompting officials to warn residents to take immediate cover.
The warning comes as forecasters have warned that a volatile weather setup across the Southern Plains on Tuesday could bring multiple rounds of dangerous storms capable of producing very large hail, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes. The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of North Texas and neighboring areas under a higher-end risk, citing strong instability, abundant Gulf moisture and an approaching weather system that could fuel supercell thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening. Officials also cautioned that some storms may consolidate into larger complexes, raising the threat for widespread wind damage and heavy rainfall in hard‑hit areas.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski told Newsweek that the strongest storms could strike after dark.
Tornado Warning in Texas: What We Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Fort Worth issued the tornado warning at 3:35 p.m. CDT for southern Jack County, including the city of Jacksboro, after radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado moving southeast at around 30 mph. The warning was set to remain in effect until 4:15 p.m. local time.
“TAKE COVER NOW!” the NWS said in the warning, urging residents to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, avoid windows, and seek substantial shelter if outdoors or in a vehicle.
Locations for potentially impacts include Jacksboro, Fort Richardson State Park, Lake Bridgeport, Joplin, Gibtown, Lost Creek Reservoir, Wizard Wells and Vineyard.
Forecasters warned that the storm could produce a tornado along with half-dollar-sized hail. Impacts could include flying debris, damage to mobile homes, roofs, windows and vehicles, and downed trees.
Tornado Touches Down Near Bowie, Texas
Also on Tuesday afternoon, independent meteorologist Max Velocity warned that a confirmed tornado was on the ground near Bowie, Texas.
“OBSERVED TORNADO WARNING near Bowie, Texas! Seek shelter immediately if you are in this warning,” he posted on X.
Other posts on social media shared pictures of the foreboding storm system as it approached Bowie.
“That storm SE of Bowie TX got hints of the new funnel or small tornado this has and this is going over US-287,” one user posted.
Tornado Warnings in Four States as Storms Erupt
As of 5:08 p.m. ET, NWS offices have issued tornado warnings in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. A much more widespread tornado watch and severe thunderstorm watch was in place across the region.
In some cases, the alerts will extend until 10 p.m. local time.
Emergency officials continue to monitor the rapidly developing storm systems. People living within the impacted areas are urged to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and be prepared to take shelter should a more serious situation develop.
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