National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches Issued for the Northern Gulf Coast for Strengthening Tropical Storm Isaias

Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to track toward the central Gulf Coast while strengthening into a hurricane on Thursday. There is an increasing risk of damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge impacts along portions of the northern Gulf Coast Friday into Saturday. Isaias will bring heavy rainfall to the central Gulf Coast and much of the Southeast Friday into the weekend. Read More >

April 26, 2012 Severe Storms
 
As a strong upper-level disturbance encountered a moist, unstable air mass across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, severe thunderstorms rapidly developed during the afternoon and evening hours of April 26. Most of the severe weather reports were concentrated around Potter and Randall Counties in Texas, including Amarillo.  One severe thunderstorm in particular produced wind damage near Joy Avenue and I-27, approximately 4-5 miles north of Canyon.  A storage unit at this location was heavily damaged (images below), and a storm survey estimated straight line wind speeds were likely between 70 and 75 mph.  Large hail was also reported with some of the storms, including ping pong ball size (1.50 inches) hail near Washburn, TX and the Lake Tanglewood community in Randall County.  In addition, heavy rain resulted in flash flooding issues in Amarillo and once again along Highway 287 between Amarillo and Dumas.
April 26, 2012 Severe Reports
 
RADAR IMAGES
KAMA velocity image KAMA base reflectivity
KAMA base velocity at 5:16 p.m. KAMA base reflectivity at 5:16 p.m.
 
DAMAGE IMAGES
Straight line wind damage south of Rockwell Road at
Joy Avenue and I-27
Same building, looking east northeast.
Roof damage on east side of storage building Debris blew out windows in this manufactured home.