North Texas is under a level 4 storm risk. What does that mean?

Severe storms could hit North Texas as early as noon Thursday, and the risk increasing later in the day and into the evening.

A severe storm threat is expected later Thursday when large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are expected, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has expanded the risk level in most of North Texas to a level 4 or moderate risk. Level 4 risk includes the potential for baseball-sized hail, tornadoes and wind gusts of up to 75 mph.

Here’s what to know about the other severe weather risks:

What are the severe weather risk categories?

Each severe weather risk is color-coded and assigned a one word descriptor by the NWS’ Storm Prediction Center:

1. Marginal risk (dark green) — Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. These storms are limited in duration and/or coverage and/or intensity.
2. Slight risk (yellow) — Scattered severe storms are possible. These storms are short-lived and/or not widespread, but isolated intense storms are possible.
3. Enhanced risk (orange) — Numerous severe storms are possible. These storms are more persistent and/or more widespread, along with a few potentially intense.
4. Moderate risk (red) — Widespread severe storms are likely. These storms could produce tornadoes, baseball-sized hail and wind gusts of up to 75 mph.
5. High risk (magenta) — Widespread severe storms are expected. These storm could produce hurricane-force wind gusts and violent tornadoes. These storms will be long-lived and intense.

This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 12:06 PM.

Brayden Garcia

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Brayden Garcia is a service journalism reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Brayden mainly writes about weather and all things Taylor Sheridan-related.