Amarillo, Texas – Another day of dangerous heat is underway across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, with triple-digit temperatures and extreme heat risk expected before thunderstorms develop later this afternoon and continue into the early overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, afternoon highs will range from 101 to 106 degrees across much of the region, with Palo Duro Canyon expected to reach 108 degrees. Forecast highs include 106 degrees in Guymon and Borger, 105 in Gruver, 104 in Amarillo, Dumas, Stratford and Claude, 103 in Boise City, Beaver, Perryton, Pampa, Clarendon and Wellington, and 101 degrees in Canadian and Wheeler.
The combination of intense sunshine and prolonged heat has created Major to Extreme HeatRisk across portions of the Panhandles, particularly around the Amarillo area. Officials urge residents to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon and never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
Later today, attention shifts to developing thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service, storms are expected to develop between 3 p.m. and 2 a.m., with the highest chances across the northwestern Panhandles, including Boise City, where rain chances reach 50% to 60%, and Guymon, where chances range from 30% to 50%.
Any storm that becomes severe could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph, hail up to one-half inch in diameter, brief heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. While the tornado threat remains very low, isolated strong storms are possible if activity intensifies during the evening.
Residents should remain weather-aware throughout the day as dangerous heat transitions into the potential for strong evening thunderstorms. Additional watches or warnings may be issued if storms strengthen or become more widespread.
