April 26 Severe Thunderstorms Impact the Texas Panhandle

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.

RADAR IMAGES


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.