Forecasters are warning of large hail, damaging winds and a possible tornado across parts of the Texas Panhandle on Friday, June 26. According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, severe storms could bring hail, 60 mph wind gusts and an isolated tornado to several communities across the region.
“Later today there is a low threat for strong to severe storms mainly across much of the panhandles. The primary hazards will be damaging wind gusts followed by large hail,” the NWS website states.
Half-dollar-sized hail could arrive with the storms, forecasters warn. As for timing, NWS Amarillo expects storms to arrive between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., though they could arrive as early as 6 p.m.
The NWS seven-day forecast shows a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. NWS warns that flooding is also possible with these storms outside the Texas Panhandle.
“Heavy to torrential rainfall can occur with any of the thunderstorms today. This will bring mainly a low chance for flash flooding mainly in the northwestern panhandles today,” NWS stated.
On Saturday, conditions begin to dry out, but scorching temperatures arrive, with a high near 103 in Amarillo. The weekend remains dry as well. The next chance of rain won’t arrive until Monday night into Tuesday.