Severe storms target the Texas Panhandle with quarter-sized hail threat

Forecasters are warning that a fresh round of severe storms could move into the Texas Panhandle on Thursday, bringing quarter-sized hail, damaging winds and a low chance of isolated tornadoes.

The highest storm chances are centered around Amarillo and farther north in the Panhandle, with storms possibly approaching from eastern New Mexico and Colorado. One report put the main severe-weather window from about 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. local time.

Timing and setup

A separate weather preview on Wednesday said severe weather was not the main concern yet, but hail risk was becoming more notable for Thursday. Forecasts then sharpened into a stronger severe-weather threat for Thursday afternoon and evening.

That setup could also lead to a follow-on round of storms and rain early Friday morning.

Main hazards

The primary hazards are large hail, wind damage and a smaller tornado risk. Reports cited hail up to quarter size and wind gusts near 70 mph.

Even with the tornado threat described as low, forecasters are treating the setup as significant enough to watch closely, especially for communities in and around Amarillo and the northern Texas Panhandle.

What to watch

The National Weather Service office in Amarillo is the key official source to monitor for any severe thunderstorm watches or warnings.

Residents should also watch for reports of hail, wind damage or any tornado warnings later Thursday into Friday morning, along with any southward shift in the storm track.