Amarillo, Texas – Wind gusts up to 35 mph could sweep across I-40 by 2 p.m. Thursday as a cold front slices through the Texas Panhandle, shifting winds sharply and raising concerns for blowing dust and rapidly changing wildfire behavior.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, southwest winds will increase to 20 to 25 mph ahead of the front, with gusts reaching 25 to 35 mph through the afternoon. The front is expected to move into the northwest Panhandle between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., reaching Amarillo and Borger between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and pushing toward Clarendon and Wheeler by 9 p.m.
As the boundary passes, winds will turn north to northeast at 10 to 20 mph. That abrupt shift could fan existing fires in different directions and create sudden drops in visibility along open stretches of I-40, US-287 and TX-136. Drivers, especially those operating high-profile vehicles, should prepare for crosswinds and pockets of blowing dust during the evening commute.
Communities including Dumas, Pampa and Canadian may see smoke drift across roadways if any grass fires ignite or expand. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and secure loose outdoor items before midafternoon.
Temperatures will cool behind the front, but this is not a strong Arctic surge. Instead, the primary impact will be wind direction changes and gusty conditions through sunset.
Winds are expected to gradually ease later Thursday night, though fire weather concerns may persist into the early evening hours.
