The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for parts of South-Central Texas early Wednesday, the second straight day rotating thunderstorms have triggered warnings in the region, with radar detecting rotation in storms moving north through Bandera, Real, Edwards and Uvalde counties.
Two warnings were active as of Wednesday morning. At 6:01 a.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Utopia, about 7 miles southwest of Vanderpool, moving north at 20 mph, the Weather Service said. A second storm, tracked at 5:54 a.m. CDT, was located over Montell, roughly 18 miles southwest of Leakey, moving north at 15 mph. Both warnings were based on radar-indicated rotation rather than confirmed touchdowns.
The threat marks a shift from Tuesday, when a tornado warning covered Frio and Medina counties farther southeast near Pearsall. Wednesday’s rotating cells have pushed the danger zone into Bandera, Real, Edwards and Uvalde counties, indicating the broader storm system producing tornado-warned cells has continued to organize new rotation as it moves through the Hill Country rather than dissipating overnight.
The Weather Service said flying debris will be dangerous to anyone caught without shelter, mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed, and damage to roofs, windows and vehicles is expected where the storms track, along with likely tree damage.
Officials issued the same urgent instruction for both warned storms: take cover now. Residents in the path are advised to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and stay away from windows. Those who are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle should move to the closest substantial shelter immediately rather than trying to outrun the storm.
The pattern of successive tornado warnings on back-to-back mornings suggests the atmosphere over South-Central Texas remains primed for additional rotating storms into Wednesday, particularly along the corridor stretching from the Hill Country toward the San Antonio area. Residents in Bandera, Real, Edwards and Uvalde counties should keep a way to receive warnings overnight and through the morning commute, since these storms have repeatedly formed with radar-indicated rotation on short notice rather than extended lead time.
No additional counties beyond the four named in Wednesday’s alerts were included in the warnings as of the latest update. The Weather Service continues to monitor the system for further development.