By james art 
Much of the Southern Plains, including Lubbock County and the Big Country, is under a Tornado Watch until 10:00 PM Friday, with a line of strong storms already developing and moving east across West Texas.
Lubbock is one of 33 Texas counties under a watch for severe weather today, including tornadoes and grapefruit-sized hail. As storms roll in, here’s what we know:
UPDATED 5:40 p.m A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 6:15 p.m. for northwestern Garza County and Crosby County.
At 5:30 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located five miles south of Caprock or 12 miles east of Slayton moving north at 35 mph. The storm had the potential for wind gusts of 60 mph and hail the size of half dollars.
UPDATED 5:35 p.m
A tornado warning for parts of Hale County near Plainview and a severe thunderstorm warning for Briscoe, Floyd, Hale and Swisher counties were canceled at 5:24 p.m. as the storm weakened below severe limits and no longer poses an immediate threat to life and property.
The storms are part of a line moving east from the Southern Plains toward the Rolling Plains and the Big Country Friday night.
UPDATED at 16:50: A tornado was confirmed between Hale County and Plainview after 4:30 p.m. Friday, part of a string of severe thunderstorms moving across the Southern Plains Friday afternoon. A tornado warning has been issued for Hale County, including Plainview and Hale Center, until 5 p.m.
At 4:35 p.m., the tornado confirmed by weather observers was located four miles north of Hale Center, moving east at 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The tornado was expected to approach Plainview.
“Flying debris will be dangerous for those caught without shelter,” the weather service said in a statement. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”
Related: 373 tornadoes hit the US in April – almost twice the average. Here’s how many hit Texas
Live updates for the May 3rd storm in Lubbock, surrounding area:
14:26: Tornado Watch issued for several counties between 3-10 p.m
14:11: NWS Lubbock said strong to severe storms are expected to develop over the next two hours.
What will the weather be like in Lubbock this weekend? Rainy.
The National Weather Service said more rain is possible this weekend. The forecast as of 3.11pm on Friday includes:
Saturday: A high near 72, with a south-southwest wind around 10-15 mph becoming north-northeast in the morning. There is a 70 percent chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch, although larger amounts are possible during thunderstorms. The low will be around 57 and overnight precipitation chances will increase to 80%. Showers and potentially severe thunderstorms are likely after 4pm and could last until 4am on Sunday.
Sunday: A high near 77 degrees and a low around 63. Showers and thunderstorms are possible before 7 a.m., with a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Chance of precipitation will decrease to 20% overnight, with showers and storms moving in after 1am
This article originally appeared in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Live updates as storms bring tornadoes, hail threat to West Texas