Severe weather is choosing Texas on Thursday, May 14. Part of the Texas Panhandle may experience a roller coaster of hazardous conditions over the next few hours.
Forecasters say there is a level one chance that thunderstorms could develop in the region this afternoon. The cities of Dumas, Amarillo, and Borger are among those that should remain alert and enable multiple ways to receive warnings, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Current models suggest the storms would be isolated, not widespread.
Residents could experience nickel-sized hail measuring at about 0.88 of an inch, and wind gusts up to 75 mph, the agency warns. There is a very low, but still present possibility that a tornado could form, meteorologists say. Rain chances across the region range from 15% to 35%, but “vivid” lightning is expected.
The most likely time the grey clouds would start rolling into the western Panhandle (such as the towns of Perryton and Pampa) would be 2 p.m., according to the NWS. However, there’s a greater chance that the severe storms will be active between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, eastern cities, like Vega and Stratford, probably won’t see the action until, at the earliest, 4 p.m. Forecasters say the most likely time is between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., when storms are exiting the region.
These are not the only threats faced by this part of the state. The NWS says there’s increased potential for wildfires because of the combination of dry conditions and high winds. The critical fire weather period is listed as 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. Locals should contact law and fire officials immediately if they see fire or smell smoke.
Record high temperatures are possible in much of the Panhandle, with the high for Amarillo (96 degrees) nearing the highest it’s been since 1996 (99 degrees), per the NWS. Dalhart could hit 94 degrees, while Borger could crack 100 degrees.
Today through Sunday, forecasters warn that heat-related illnesses are possible, so it’s a good time to limit outdoor activities to the early morning or evening and to stay hydrated.
Ironically, it all comes just days before a cold front. The front will move south across the Plains on Monday, May 18, and could be south of the Texas Panhandle by that same evening, forecasters say.
“If the front is south of the area, the storm threat will be pretty much gone,” the agency wrote in its long-term forecast discussion. “Severe storms will be possible if anything does develop across the Panhandles. The front should be south of the area by Tuesday morning, leading to cooler temperatures into the middle of next week, along with continued dry conditions.”