The upcoming Memorial Day weekend may be gloomy. The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of hazardous conditions that storms could bring on Friday, May 22.
The central and eastern Panhandles have a Level 1 to Level 2 chance that storms will become severe, with Pampa, Borger, and Amarillo among those at increased risk, according to the National Weather Service. The most serious threats include egg-sized hail, 60 mph wind gusts and a tornado (though the likelihood of the latter is low).
Forecasters have warned that hail could be 2 inches or larger in diameter in most of the eastern region. Residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and to plan where they can seek shelter if an alert is issued for their location. The morning should be tame before things start to shift after 4 p.m. The NWS Amarillo office says there’s a 50%-60% chance of showers after this time.
The more severe threats, such as hail and high winds, could occur as early as 6 p.m. near Dalhart and Amarillo, per the NWS. The most likely time is 7 p.m., lasting through 10 p.m. Over by Canadian and Beaver, the earliest start is projected for 9 p.m. Meteorologists are more confident that it will begin at 10 p.m. and last through midnight.
During most of the daylight hours, the regional high shouldn’t crack 82 degrees. The expected low after sunset is 53 degrees.
So what does this mean for your planned barbecues this weekend? The severe storm threat is highest on Saturday, May 23, according to the NWS. Rain chances are between 70% and 80%.
Come Sunday, May 24, the chance drops a bit, possibly leaving room for short outside activities. Currently, it’s between 40% and 50%. Temperatures could reach 85 degrees.
On Memorial Day, forecasters say there should be a few pockets of sunniness in the first half of the day. There’s only a 20% to 30% chance of rain, but the weather radar still shows the possibility of isolated storms forming in the western Panhandles in the evening. If it stays away, the temperature will be pretty ideal for a gathering, considering how brutal the Texas heat can be. The projected low is 57 degrees, and the high is 87 degrees.