Tornado watch until 10 p.m. for Lubbock, much of area

Tornado watch until 10 p.m. for Lubbock, much of area

update 5:09 p.m. - Severe storms are now moving across the southern South Plains, building to the NNE. This is on track with the forecast. Very large hail will be the main risk. We'll watch the potential for a few tornadoes as well.

posted 2:59 p.m.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch for Lubbock and most of the area, counties shaded below in blue, until 10 p.m. 

Interactive radar
FOX 34 VIPIR live stream

Note: if we're on with long-form coverage you can click the live stream link above to watch.

Here is the info from SPC:

  * PRIMARY THREATS INCLUDE...
     A FEW TORNADOES POSSIBLE
     WIDESPREAD LARGE HAIL EXPECTED WITH ISOLATED VERY LARGE HAIL
       EVENTS TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER LIKELY
     SCATTERED DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH POSSIBLE

   SUMMARY...ISOLATED SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO FORM THIS
   AFTERNOON ALONG THE DRYLINE AND SPREAD ACROSS THE WATCH AREA.  VERY
   LARGE HAIL IS POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH A RISK OF
   DAMAGING WINDS AND A FEW TORNADOES.

   THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 65 STATUTE
   MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 90 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF
   LUBBOCK TEXAS TO 20 MILES WEST NORTHWEST OF GARDEN CITY KANSAS. 
   FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH
   OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

   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.

The main risk with storms today will be the large hail. But keep in mind the risk for a few tornadoes. The watch means there is potential for tornadoes, very large hail and damaging wind. If a tornado warning is issued it means you need to get to the lower level, most central room of your home or building right away. The warning is issued for when a tornado is occurring or is likely to develop in minutes.

Check back here for updates as well as on FOX 34. If we're on with long-form coverage we'll also be on 93.7 The Eagle, Rock 96.9, Double T 97.3, Oldies 97.7, Magic 106.5, 107.7 Yes FM and AM 950-100.7 FM.