UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm watch in place for North Texas until Tuesday night
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.
At 6:37 p.m. on Tuesday, the NWS Fort Worth TX released an updated severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 10 p.m. The watch is for Collin, Dallas, Tarrant, Delta, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties.
This watch is in effect until 10 p.m.
Weather Watches and Warnings
Live, real-time data from the National Weather Service showing official weather watches, warnings, and advisories. Tap or click a highlighted area for details.
Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform, and Esri.
How to react when facing a lightning hazard?
Around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States every year, with most taking place during the summer months. The NWS reports that these strikes result in about 20 fatalities annually. The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above. As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm:
- To decrease the risk of getting struck by lightning, when you go outside, establish a plan to reach a safer place.
- If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
- Once indoors, avoid touching corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors.
- Wait for 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back out.
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
- Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top.
- Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees.
- If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members.
- If you are camping in an open setting, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low spot. Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning.
- Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects. Water and metal do not attract lightning, yet they conduct electricity efficiently.
Rainy weather driving tips
- Turn on headlights - Even in daylight, using headlights can help improve visibility and let other drivers know where you are.
- While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground. Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
- Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
- Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
- Steer clear of flooded areas - When coming to a flooded road, turn around and head back. Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The top three contributors to hydroplaning are:
- Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
- Water depth - The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn't matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
- Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:
- Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
- Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.
- Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
- Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Source: The National Weather Service
United Robots Fort Worth
This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 5:15 PM.