Multiple tornadoes rip through northern Texas, more big weather changes predicted

Four tornadoes and severe weather damaged property in multiple counties in North Texas on Saturday, and more drastic weather changes are predicted in the coming days.

Steve Fano, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, said tornadoes were confirmed in Ellis, Hill, Freestone and Navarro counties on Saturday.

The first tornado was reported at 1:07 p.m. in Ellis County, downing trees, flipping cars and damaging property throughout the area. At Waxahachie High School, light poles snapped in half, and fencing around the football field was knocked over.

At 1:20 p.m., 2:06 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., other tornadoes touched down in Hill, Navarro and Freestone Counties, respectively.

Ping-pong sized hail was also reported during severe thunderstorms in the area.

Fano said they have not had any reports of injuries from the storms.

Thunderstorms and drastic weather changes were predicted to roll through the area Sunday, Fano said.

Saturday night, he said, was expected to be relatively clear and no thunderstorms were predicted. On Sunday, however, there is a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms and showers with temperatures in the upper 70s.

“But big changes are going to come through at sunset,” Fano said.

A strong cold front is expected to move through the area Sunday night, which will bring showers and thunderstorms as well as much cooler air. Starting Sunday night, the temperature is expected to drop into the 40s and remain there throughout the week.

The Fort Worth area could also see another eight inches of rain by the middle of next week due to the storms.

“It will definitely feel like fall,” he said.

Storms on Sunday night are not expected to be severe, and although it will be windy, Fano said they do not expect any damage from the storms.