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YellowRegional levelUnchanged from yesterday

A line of thunderstorms is forecast to cross north and central Texas and Oklahoma tonight into Tuesday morning, with damaging wind gusts the main hazard, and the Storm Prediction Center has a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) over parts of the area. Severe drought has deepened in Arkansas and Louisiana, while the Texas grid (ERCOT) shows ample spare capacity.

Drops to Green if the storm line passes Tuesday without widespread wind damage or outagesGoes Orange if storms bring multi-state power outages or the Arkansas/Louisiana drought leads to water-supply limits

This threat level is the 0400 Report's own assessment, not an official government alert, warning or declaration. For official alerts where you live, follow your local emergency officials and the National Weather Service. How we set it

Regions rate local conditions. Nationwide issues, like fuel prices, set the US level.

SITREP What changed in this region

ongoingWeather

Storm line expected across north and central Texas and Oklahoma tonight

A cold front is forecast to set off storms in western North Texas Monday evening. They are expected to form a line that reaches I-35 around 2-3 a.m. and the Brazos Valley around 5-6 a.m. Tuesday, weakening as it moves east. SPC has a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) over parts of Kansas, western and central Oklahoma and north Texas. Damaging straight-line winds are the main threat, with gusts possibly over 60 mph, plus some hail and a low chance of brief tornadoes. On Tuesday the wind threat shifts to Louisiana and Arkansas.

escalatingWater

Drought worsens in Arkansas and Louisiana; improves in west Texas and Oklahoma

The US Drought Monitor for the week of Oct 27 shows extreme to exceptional drought (D3-D4, the two worst levels on its five-step D0-D4 scale) across much of Arkansas, Louisiana and nearby areas. Rainfall there over four months is 8 to 16 inches below normal, generally less than half of normal. Heavy rain over the past 2 to 4 weeks improved conditions in western Texas and Oklahoma, while the eastern edges of both states dried further.

ongoingPower

Texas grid has wide spare capacity

ERCOT forecast Monday's peak demand at about 66,400 MW between 3 and 4 p.m., against about 107,200 MW of forecast available capacity. No conservation notices were posted.

Regional board Tap a line for detail

Power & utilities

quiet

ERCOT projects a Monday peak near 66,400 MW against about 107,200 MW available, with no conservation notices.

Weather & hazards

elevated

SPC has a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for parts of Oklahoma and north Texas tonight, mainly for damaging winds.

SPC has a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for parts of Oklahoma and north Texas tonight, mainly for damaging winds. The threat moves into Louisiana and Arkansas on Tuesday. Cooler, drier air follows.

Travel & transport

watch

Overnight storms may slow early Tuesday travel along I-35 and could cause airport delays in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Overnight storms may slow early Tuesday travel along I-35 and could cause airport delays in Dallas-Fort Worth. No major closures were reported.

Health, water & safety

elevated

Extreme to exceptional drought (D3-D4) covers much of Arkansas and Louisiana, with less than half of normal rain over four months.

Extreme to exceptional drought (D3-D4) covers much of Arkansas and Louisiana, with less than half of normal rain over four months. This pass found no region-specific health alerts.

Elsewhere Other regions and the world

National stories, like fuel prices and overseas conflict, are on the US page.

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