Amarillo, Texas – A dangerous line of storms is triggering a tornado watch across the Texas Panhandle tonight, with 12 counties under alert until 6 a.m. Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 381 includes Carson, Dallam, Gray, Hansford, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Roberts, Sherman, and Wheeler counties. The watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms overnight.
Cities like Amarillo, Borger, and Pampa could see wind gusts above 70 mph and large hail before dawn. Residents are urged to stay weather-aware, charge mobile devices, and keep shelter plans ready. Travel on U.S. Highways 60, 87, and 83 may become hazardous as storms roll through.
The overnight setup includes warm, moist air from the Gulf meeting a strong upper-level disturbance, increasing the chance of rotating storms. This event mirrors late spring outbreaks typical in the region, and emergency managers warn that some tornadoes could form with little notice.
The tornado watch remains in effect through 6 a.m. CDT Saturday. Additional warnings may be issued as the system moves east into Oklahoma.
