Amarillo, Texas – Severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains region on Monday, with wind gusts reaching up to 85 mph and hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter. The National Weather Service has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 353, effective until 9 p.m. Monday.
Areas Under Watch
The watch covers dozens of counties, including Randall, Potter, Lubbock, Deaf Smith, Hemphill, and cities such as Amarillo, Lubbock, Plainview, and Childress.
Storm Details and Hazards
- Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are forecast to develop and organize into fast-moving clusters pushing northeastward through the evening.
- The main threats are damaging winds strong enough to uproot trees, knock down power lines, and cause localized power outages.
- Large hail is also possible, especially near the strongest storm cores.
Safety and Preparedness Tips
Residents are urged to:
- Secure outdoor objects that could be blown away by strong winds.
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially along highways like I-27 and US-287, where visibility may drop suddenly due to wind-driven debris.
- Charge mobile devices and keep NOAA Weather Radio or local alert apps on hand for updates.
- Stay indoors and seek shelter during severe storms.
Ongoing Risks
Power companies across the region are on high alert for outages. Storm threats may continue into the night, and additional warnings could be issued as conditions evolve.
