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WWUS20 KWNS 210120

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SPC WW 210120

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URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Tornado Watch Number 9

NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK

720 PM CST Fri Jan 20 2017



The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a



* Tornado Watch for portions of

  Southwestern and south-central Louisiana

  Extreme southeast Texas

  Coastal Waters



* Effective this Friday night and Saturday morning from 720 PM

  until 200 AM CST.



* Primary threats include...

  A few tornadoes possible

  Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

  Isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter

    possible



SUMMARY...A cluster of thunderstorms over southeast Texas appears to

be the start of a more expansive overnight severe-storm event moving

east-northeastward through this watch (and eventually beyond).

Additional, more isolated severe storms also may form ahead of the

main complex, along and south of a returning marine/warm frontal

zone.  The tornado threat, while marginal at first, will increase

with time and with eastward extent across the watch area tonight,

into southern Louisiana, as shear and instability increase.



The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles

north and south of a line from 20 miles southwest of Port Arthur TX

to 25 miles northeast of Lafayette LA. For a complete depiction of

the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS

WOU9).



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...



REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for

tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch

area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for

threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements

and possible warnings.



&&



AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail

surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind

gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean

storm motion vector 25030.



...Edwards

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