The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for parts of east Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee until 10 p.m. Saturday. The watch includes the possibility of intense tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail events.

A strong cold front approaching from the west is causing a squall line to intensify, with the greatest severe risk expected with bowing segments and embedded supercells within the line. The tornado watch area spans approximately 75 miles east and west of a line from Tennessee to Louisiana.

The Texas counties included in the watch area are Shelby, Sabine, and San Augustine, with the severe weather threat expected to end by 7 p.m. A Tornado Watch indicates favorable conditions for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, and residents in these areas should stay alert for threatening weather conditions and listen for further statements and warnings.