Friday live blog: Dangerous storms firing during commute

A late season severe weather event will continue across the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. This live blog will be updated as the event goes on.

The severe storm line is moving east and getting into the lower Mississippi valley soon. Here's an on-scene look at a tornado-warned storm southeast of Dallas, moving north-northeast of Ennis, Texas.

Enhanced and moderate risks are still posted for the eastern southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley as the strong storm system moves east.

The storms are expected to keep up after dark so be sure to have at least three ways of receiving a weather warning. Nocturnal storms have the added risk of not being clearly visible, especially if there are tornadoes.

Tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings paint the map across the southern Plains this afternoon. We are getting into the afternoon commute time and residents across southeast Oklahoma, eastern Texas, western Arkansas, and northwest Louisiana need to stay alert.

A tornado watch has been issued along Interstate 35 from just north of Austin, Texas to northeast Oklahoma. The storms are already raking through the Plains today and they're only expected to get stronger as the afternoon goes on.

Gusts up to 80 mph, hail larger than two inches across, and strong tornadoes are all possible. There is a moderate chance of tornadoes of at least EF-2 severity (at least 113 mph winds).

This cold front igniting the storms is very strong. In Oklahoma, there is a 30-degree temperature difference across the central portions of the state. The influx of very warm, water-laden air streaming north out of the Gulf is what is feeding these storms as the cold front chugs east.

A moderate risk for severe storms has just been issued for the ArkLaTex and southeast Oklahoma for this afternoon's event. A moderate risk - a level 4 out of 5 on the severity scale - means there is a strong signal for multiple tornadoes, large hail, and severe gusts greater than 75 mph.

Places like Tyler and Longview, Tx, Hot Springs, Ark., Hugo, Okla., and Benton, La., are all within the moderate risk area. Residents here need to be on their toes today and be sure to have several ways of receiving a severe weather warning. These storms could quickly turn into a dangerous situation and precautions must be taken.

Our Meteorologist, Irene Sans, was just live on Facebook updating us on what will happen with the severe weather event over the next several hours. Be sure to comment if you have any questions about what you can expect!

Governor Abbott has activated emergency crews across Texas ahead of the severe weather event. "State and local emergency response partners are monitoring weather conditions and are on standby to swiftly provide all necessary resources to protect our communities."

An enhanced risk for severe storms has been issued and includes Lufkin and cities along I-35 in Texas including Austin and Dallas, and Shreveport, La. This afternoon's commute and any dinner plans you have should be reevaluated as this event takes place.

Have at least three ways of receiving a weather warning and have your notifications switched on in the app. Learn how to turn on your severe weather alerts.

With the timing of these storms happening during the afternoon, school will be letting out and the afternoon commute home will begin. Keep a close eye on the WeatherRadar today and know where you can safely be in the case of a weather emergency.

We just went over the event on Facebook Live! Check out what Meteorologist Becca Parker has to say.

These storms will be capable of damaging winds greater than 55 mph, large hail, and even tornadoes, especially on Friday. A slight risk has been issued - level 2 our of 5 - for tonight's storms but an enhanced risk - level 3 out of 5 - has been issued for Friday's stronger storms.

Thanks to the added daytime heating on Friday, the storm system will feed off the heat and humidity streaming in from the south. This will feed the storms and more damaging gusts, hail, and tornadoes are possible, especially along the I-35 corridor in the afternoon.

Read more about the specifics here as the event draws near. Have your notifications switched on and have at least three ways of receiving a severe weather warning.