Map Shows Texas Cities Under Threat From Severe Storms

Embattled Texans are bracing for yet another day of extreme weather as forecasters have warned the state to expect more severe storms this week.

The "Lone Star State will be the focus for active weather today as strong thunderstorms develop," the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Northern and central Texas may suffer flash flooding, while the south of the state will be hit with "sweltering heat."

A tornado warning was issued for areas including Canton and Callender Lake, while surrounding areas will see "wind gusts to 70 mph and golf ball sized hail" the agency's Fort Worth office warned on its social media accounts.

The grim news comes after at least 21 people were killed as storms caused catastrophic destruction in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky over the Memorial Day weekend. Seven people were killed in Texas, with some victims losing their lives as a tornado tore through a community of mobile homes near the city of Valley View. One terrifying video showed several victims cowering in fear in darkness as a gas station where they'd sought shelter was destroyed around them by fierce winds.

The clean-up operation was still underway across parts of the state on Tuesday, but the misery is not over as the severe weather is set to continue into the latter half of the week.

Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist at ABC News, shared a map on social media site X (formerly Twitter), with the caption: "TUESDAY: North Texas is starting the morning [with] severe weather, the atmosphere will settle then ignite again along the dry line later this afternoon and evening. You all have to be getting exhausted from all of this severe weather but please have two ways of getting warnings!"

The map showed a "severe weather threat" for Tuesday and Tuesday night, warning that "damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornado [sic]" are expected across much of the state, from Amarillo in the north to Houston in the south.

A central area is shaded in a deeper color, warning that this region will see the "highest threat." The area includes Austin, Waco, Abilene, while Dallas and San Antonio sit on its outer edges.

NWS forecasters predicted on Tuesday that there will be "numerous strong to severe thunderstorms and areas of flash flooding likely across portions of northern and central Texas today." While an X post warned hailstones could reach the size golf balls.

The detailed account for Tuesday through Thursday on NWS's website added that: "Sweltering heat continues across parts of South Texas[...] The Lone Star State will be the focus for active weather today as strong thunderstorms develop along a southern High Plains dryline and lingering stationary front. Ample atmospheric moisture content and instability will support the likelihood of storms containing significant damaging wind gusts and very large hail.

"Ongoing thunderstorms along the Red River Valley of the South are expected to continue through the morning hours before numerous additional storms form across western and north-central Texas by the afternoon. Merging cells and clusters of storms are also likely to contain intense rainfall rates capable of triggering several flash floods, particularly for areas just west of Dallas-Fort Worth and north of Austin.

"The threat of scattered flash flooding and severe thunderstorms includes a much larger region extending from the Texas Panhandle to the western Gulf Coast. For the overnight timeframe, heavy rain and severe weather chances are forecast to gradually decrease and slide eastward within Texas.

"Residents and visitors are reminded to remain weather aware, have numerous ways to receive warnings and never drive across flooded roadways."

The Central Texas Red Cross echoed the warnings for residents and said last week: "Dangers remain after a tornado passes. Monitor the weather, more storms may follow. Watch for exposed nails & broken glass. Stay clear of fallen power lines. Be careful of frightened pets. Watch for snakes and swarming insects."

Experts fear that climate change will make extreme weather patterns worse, with a series of researchers and scientists telling Newsweek their grim predictions for the future. Many believe that more thunderstorms and floods are likely, along with tornadoes, hurricanes and droughts.