Tornadoes spotted in towns west of Fort Worth

A pair of severe storms that pelted towns west and then south of Fort Worth with golf ball- and baseball-size hail — and prompted reports of several tornadoes on the ground — parted as they approached the Metroplex on Sunday evening.

While a tornado watch was in effect in Dallas-Fort Worth until 11 p.m., the warnings by 10:30 p.m. were primarily about severe thunderstorms. Forecasters said residents could expect storms through the early morning today.

“People will have to pay attention,” said Jamie Gudmestad, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Spotters reported that two tornadoes ripped through the Dublin and De Leon areas west of Fort Worth on Sunday evening, said WFAA meteorologist Colleen Coyle.

They originated from two weather systems but tracked very similar paths, Coyle said. Investigators from the National Weather Service will examine storm damage and make the official determination as to whether or not a tornado touched ground, she said.

Radar also indicated a tornado near Somervell County at about 8:20 p.m., Coyle said.

As parts of one storm began to reach DFW by 8:30 p.m., Stephenville-area residents were on their third tornado warning of the evening. Spotters reported twisters on the ground west of Chalk Mountain, outside Hico and Glen Rose.

Forecasters at the weather service were also tracking what appeared to be a large tornado near Cleburne State Park shortly before 10 p.m.

Official reports of damage and injuries, if any, were not available by 10 p.m. But a Stephenville resident reported substantial damage to his vehicles and the roof of his home from golf ball-size hail.

By 7 p.m., meteorologist Matt Stalley at the National Weather Service said he had received unofficial reports of shingles being blown from rooftops and baseball- to softball-size hail in the Stephenville area.

Earlier, the potential for dangerous lightning delayed the Texas Christian University-University of Texas baseball game for more than 20 minutes Sunday afternoon.

The risk of severe weather decreases today. But the threat of rainfall and accompanying flooding will increase north of Fort Worth.

This story was originally published April 26, 2015 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Tornadoes spotted in towns west of Fort Worth."