(February 23, 2007)—Strong to occasionally severe thunderstorms are possible overnight and Saturday morning, spawned by a potent upper level system.

The storms could reach counties in western Central Texas after midnight and the Interstate 35 corridor around sunrise Saturday.

Large hail and damaging winds are the primary threats from the storms.

Don’t Let Sudden Storms Catch You By Surprise. Click Here To Download News Central Desktop Alert

There’s a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday morning.

The real problem may develop as the storm system exits, bringing strong westerly winds with sustained speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour and gusts as high as 50 miles per hour.

A wind advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday for Central Texas and a Red Flag Warning has also been issued for the region for the same time period.

The gusty winds and rapidly dropping humidity will combine to create a high risk of wildfires Saturday afternoon.

The winds will quickly dry out vegetation moistened by whatever rain falls as the storm system moves through, the National Weather Service says.

More News >>Sports >> Weather >>