Southeastern states are on alert as severe weather moves through the area tonight. Several tornado watches and warnings have went into effect across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the Houston metro area as a severe storm system is rolling through Texas.

Areas of the South recently ravaged by a deadly tornado outbreak are again facing the threat of severe weather this weekend as cleanup efforts continue.

Merchan, in his ruling Friday, called an unconditional discharge the "most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options." A winter storm watch has been upgraded to a warning as the weather looms.