March 13th, 2021: Nine Tornadoes in the Texas Panhandle

Summary:

NOTE: The above statistics include information from NWS Lubbock's portion of the tornado track inside Swisher County.

The tornado damaged numerous electrical transmission lines with power poles snapped along the path. Several homes sustained significant roof damage. One home lost large sections of roof decking material and this, together with a collapsed cell phone tower, led to an EF2 rating. Otherwise, damage to power poles, out buildings, trees, and fencing suggested EF0 to EF1 ratings along the tornado path. This tornado handed off to a new tornado - the Palo Duro Canyon tornado - just east of its path and both tornadoes occurred simultaneously for several minutes before the first tornado dissipated.

Summary:

A brief secondary tornado was documented by storm chasers and residents in the area with video and photographs. This tornado was just north of the main tornado and appears to have been quickly absorbed by the larger circulation. The tornado damaged a barn and several power lines along its short track.

Summary:

The original tornado - Happy to Palo Duro Canyon - associated with this tornado's parent supercell handed off to this second major tornado. Storm chaser video and damage patterns suggest the tornado was either multi-vortex or that multiple satellites may have occurred. Both the original and newly developing tornadoes were briefly on the ground simultaneously. This tornado was narrow initially as it damage campgrounds around the rim of Palo Duro State Park. One cabin sustained EF1 damage as its roof was completely removed. A porch likely caught the wind and aided in the damage to the roof, which is why this tornado was not rated higher. Several travel trailers were flipped and one was destroyed at another campground, but none of these trailers were anchored. Minor damage occurred to weaker structures at the state park entrance and there was notable tree damage as well. The tornado crossed the canyon and grew large on the east side, but remained in very rural country. Another rapid and complicated tornado handoff to the Palo Duro Canyon to Washburn tornado occurred east of the canyon around the Randall/Armstrong County line near the intersection of 1258 and Goathead Road as a new circulation took over.

Summary:

The supercell underwent another odd handoff from the Palo Duro Canyon tornado near Highway 1258 which was documented by storm chasers in the area. Again, both the initial and new developing tornado co-existed for a period of time creating a wide damage path near County Road 1 in Armstrong County. This tornado path remained in very rural country with few damage indicators and was likely stronger than suggested by the very limited rating. Along the path the tornado snapped a few small diameter power poles and destroyed a couple outbuildings. It also pushed over a semi before it dissipated just north of Highway 287.

Summary:

NOTE: The above statistics include information from NWS Lubbock's portion of the tornado track inside Swisher County.

This tornado was photographed by storm chasers positioned east of the area as it crossed the southern county line. No damage was observed and the tornado lifted relatively quickly.

Summary:

The track of this tornado is not accessible by road, but was noted on radar and documented by storm chasers in the area.

Summary:

A brief tornado occurred on the western side of the city of Clarendon. This tornado was rain wrapped, but was observed by several chasers in the area. The tornado produced damage consistent with 80 to 85 mph winds, damaging several homes, trees, and sheds. Approximately 10 homes suffered shingle damage to roofs, while multiple trees were downed. Near the narrow path of this tornado, straight line winds caused damage to a scoreboard at a nearby baseball field.

Summary:

A second tornado touched down on the southwest side of Clarendon, continuing through Greenbelt Reservoir before dissipating northeast of Howardwick. Minor damage to homes and Clarendon College was observed on the west side of Clarendon. The tornado took on a wide path as it progressed toward Greenbelt Reservoir causing considerable damage to mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and boating facilities. In addition, several power poles of varying sizes were downed and many trees were snapped in the area.