National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Dangerous Heat in the Southwest; Severe Thunderstorms from the Central Plains into the Ohio Valley

Dangerous heat will build across the Southwest U.S. through the end of the week with daytime highs of 110-115°F. Isolated to widely scattered severe storms are expected across parts of the central and southern High Plains, Great Lakes into the Ohio Valley, and parts of the Ozarks to Lower Mississippi Valley today. 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.