Amarillo, Texas – Residents across the Texas Panhandle have only a few hours to prepare before severe thunderstorms develop Monday afternoon, bringing the potential for 70 mph wind gusts and hail up to 2 inches in diameter.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop across the northwestern Panhandles beginning around 3 p.m. Monday before moving southeast through the afternoon and evening. The greatest severe weather threat is expected between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. across the western and central Panhandles, expanding eastward through midnight.
Forecasters indicate storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts near 70 mph and hail up to the size of hen eggs, approximately 2 inches in diameter. A tornado cannot be completely ruled out, though the tornado risk remains very low at this time.
The highest storm coverage is expected across portions of the northwest Texas Panhandle and adjacent Oklahoma Panhandle, including areas near Amarillo, Borger, Dumas, Dalhart, Stratford, Guymon and Perryton. Rain chances range from 20% to 40% across northern sections of the region, with lower probabilities farther south toward Amarillo and Hereford.
Across Texas – Oklahoma Panhandle communities, storms may develop rapidly and become severe shortly after formation. Motorists along Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 287 and U.S. Highway 83 should be prepared for sudden reductions in visibility, strong crosswinds and localized hail-covered roadways.
The earliest severe storms could begin as early as 3 p.m. in northwestern areas, while eastern Panhandle locations may not see activity until after 6 p.m. The most likely timing for severe weather east of Amarillo, including Canadian, Wheeler and Perryton, is between 7 p.m. and midnight.
Residents should ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and be ready to move indoors quickly if storms approach. Additional Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings may be issued Monday afternoon and evening as storms develop across the Texas Panhandle.
