A line of strong storms has formed out ahead of the squall line that is sweeping across western LA. Very strong shear and ample CAPE is in place over northern LA and western MS, so rotating storms are likely within the next few hours and even after dark. As such, a tornado watch has been issued over parts of southeast AR, northern LA and western MS.

 

Meanwhile in west TX and eastern NM:

 

THE GUADALUPE...DELAWARE...AND DAVIS MOUNTAINS WILL HAVE THE
STRONGEST WINDS TODAY. DANGEROUS WIND GUSTS OF 100 TO 115 MPH ARE
POSSIBLE THROUGH GUADALUPE PASS AND THE IN THE HIGHER ELEVATION OF
THE GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS. WIND GUSTS NEARING 90 MPH ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE ABOVE 6000 FT IN THE DAVIS AND DELAWARE MOUNTAINS.

 

David Drummond is on the road in west TX documenting this event -- he says he encountered a road block near the Guadalupe Mountains, so he is currently attempting to find another "sweet spot" for the highest winds, and will possibly be heading toward Carlsbad, NM. Right now he's experiencing 30-35 MPH winds.

 

Finally, the winter storm -- as if we could forget! Below is the latest from Dave Holder, Curtis McDonald and Daniel Bettan, who are positioned in the extreme northwest corner of Missouri, in the town of Rock Port. Curtis says they have already received 6-7" of snow and it's coming down very heavily right now -- in fact, Interstate 29 was just closed AT Rock Port, so the guys are fortunate to have made it before the shut down. The overnight is expected to be chaos across the KS-NE-IA-MO area, with blizzard conditions and a high probability of power outages. Dave Holder will be providing regular updates on the Holdercast icon (left) so be sure to check there for the latest, as well as the Live page!