Twin States Weather Blog

Severe Weather Across the Plains

It seems like the Texas Panhandle has had their fair share of severe weather this spring. On March 28th there were 15 confirmed tornadoes. On April 21st there were eight confirmed tornadoes, and this past Saturday (April 21) there were 11 tornadoes, and that number may go up. That's 34 tornadoes within a month! The same area was under a tornado watch earlier tonight, but fortunately no tornadoes were reported in the area. Tornadoes have been reported, however, elsewhere in Texas and Kansas.

Here's some information about the strongest tornado that developed this past Saturday:

On April 21, the town of Cactus, TX was hit by an EF-2 tornado (winds 110-137mph). This tornado was up to 3/4 of a mile wide at times!! Unfortunately there were 14 injuries reported. However, that toll could have been much higher, and thankfully there was plenty of warning given to the area. Several mobile homes were destroyed, but the people who lived in those homes received the warning before the tornado struck and took appropriate action by seeking shelter in a sturdier building. The tornado was on the ground for 25 miles and for 35 minutes!

This evening has been another active severe weather evening across the Great Plains. At this time there have been 18 reports of tornadoes (none in the Texas Panhandle), 16 reports of wind damage, and 62 reports of large hail. These numbers will likely increase throughout the night.

A supercell in the Abilene area has been ongoing for over four hours! Hopefully it isn't causing much in the way of damage.

Another supercell in western Kansas produced a tornado near Goodland. The National Weather Service Office in Goodland reported being able to see the tornado from their office! Imagine being able to look out the window at your place of work and being able to see a tornado!

The largest hail report received so far this evening has been in Sweetwater, TX where 2.75" hail was reported. The highest damaging wind gust was 64mph at Laughlin Air Force Base, also in Texas.

posted by Rob Hart @ 11:00 PM