TORNADO WATCH AREA

 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   Tornado Watch Number 9
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   720 PM CST Fri Jan 20 2017

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Tornado Watch for portions of 
     Southwestern and south-central Louisiana
     Extreme southeast Texas
     Coastal Waters

   * Effective this Friday night and Saturday morning from 720 PM
     until 200 AM CST.

   * Primary threats include...
     A few tornadoes possible
     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
     Isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter
       possible

   SUMMARY...A cluster of thunderstorms over southeast Texas appears to
   be the start of a more expansive overnight severe-storm event moving
   east-northeastward through this watch (and eventually beyond). 
   Additional, more isolated severe storms also may form ahead of the
   main complex, along and south of a returning marine/warm frontal
   zone.  The tornado threat, while marginal at first, will increase
   with time and with eastward extent across the watch area tonight,
   into southern Louisiana, as shear and instability increase.

   The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
   north and south of a line from 20 miles southwest of Port Arthur TX
   to 25 miles northeast of Lafayette LA. For a complete depiction of
   the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
   WOU9).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
   tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
   area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
   threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
   and possible warnings.

   &&

   AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
   surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
   gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean
   storm motion vector 25030.

   ...Edwards