Amarillo, Texas – Bitter Arctic air remains locked over the High Plains, keeping dangerous cold in place across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles as residents face another day of life-threatening wind chills.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until noon CST Sunday for the Texas Panhandle and parts of the Oklahoma Panhandle. Wind chills have dropped as low as 20 below zero, creating conditions that can lead to frostbite or hypothermia without proper protection.
The warning includes communities such as Amarillo-area outskirts, Pampa, Perryton, Canadian, Shamrock, Clarendon, Wheeler, Miami, Wellington, and Beaver, Oklahoma. Open terrain and persistent winds are worsening the cold, especially in rural areas where exposure times can be longer and access to shelter more limited. Vehicle issues and frozen mechanical components are also a concern in the prolonged cold.
Emergency officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, dress in multiple layers, and fully cover exposed skin with hats, gloves, and face coverings if travel is unavoidable. Pets should be kept indoors whenever possible, and residents are encouraged to check on neighbors who may lack adequate heating.
The extreme cold is expected to persist through Sunday morning before gradually easing by midday. Officials caution that temperatures will remain well below normal, and additional cold-related advisories may be issued if Arctic air lingers longer than expected.
