Lubbock, Texas – A tornado watch is in effect for 43 counties across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains, including Lubbock, Amarillo, and Midland, through 11 p.m. Friday as storms intensify across the region.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 379 covers a broad swath of West Texas, stretching from Dallam and Hartley counties near the Oklahoma border to Scurry and Mitchell counties southeast of Lubbock. The threat includes the potential for tornadoes, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and large hail.
Cities under the watch include Amarillo, Plainview, Lubbock, and Big Spring. Residents in rural areas from Gaines to Briscoe counties should remain weather-aware this evening. High instability and strong wind shear could lead to rapidly developing supercells, especially before 9 p.m. CDT.
Emergency managers urge Texans to review shelter plans, ensure phones are charged, and stay tuned to local warnings. Travel across U.S. 87, I-27, and U.S. 84 may be hazardous if storms intensify quickly.
The tornado watch remains in effect until 11 p.m., with additional warnings likely if storm cells continue to organize across the Panhandle and South Plains.
