Tornado watch in effect in metro Houston for Mother’s Day

A tornado watch is in effect for Houston and surrounding areas through Sunday afternoon. If you plan to celebrate Mother’s Day, stay aware of rapid weather changes and heed warnings issued.

The following Texas counties are included in the tornado watch until 7 p.m. Sunday: Chambers, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Tyler, Waller.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of strong storms capable of producing tornadoes. People under a tornado watch should be prepared to seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued for their location. The safest place to be during a tornado is a basement or storm shelter.

If you don’t have a basement or storm shelter, seek shelter in an interior closet on the lowest level of your home. Putting as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors is essential to staying safe if a tornado occurs in your area. An indoor bathroom is also a great option, as strong plumbing around the bathroom will fortify your shelter. If possible, take a bicycle helmet or pillows for shelter. Don’t waste time opening the windows of your house.

If you are trapped in your car during a tornado warning, seek shelter in a sturdy building such as a grocery store or fast food restaurant. If you are not near solid structures, stay in your car with your seat belt on and try to get under the windows. Cover your head with your hands, a blanket or a bicycle helmet. If you can safely descend below road level into a ditch, leave your car and seek shelter there, keeping your head covered as best as possible.

Scattered strong and at times violent thunderstorms have already developed in parts of Southeast Texas. Heavy rain early Sunday afternoon is located mainly north of The Woodlands, but this is expected to change as the day progresses.

A warm front is expected to continue to rise northward Sunday afternoon. As this feature moves north, high-resolution weather models suggest that strong storms will develop as the region becomes warmer and more unstable. Strong thunderstorms are expected to develop until 5 or 6 p.m. in and around Houston.