Texas Panhandle near ‘whiteout’ conditions as unusual October snowstorm blankets roads
Image credit: @trades_mcgrady/Twitter
Heavy snow fell in parts of the Texas Panhandle on Thursday, October 24, 2019, resulting in near "whiteout" conditions in Amarillo, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports.
Authorities prompted motorists to find alternate routes as the unusual October snowstorm pose risk on roads.
US 87 from FM 1719 north of Amarillo to SH 354 is closed while wrecks are cleared. Find alternate routes, if possible. Take it easy out there, friends! pic.twitter.com/pRkHaZCmox
— TxDOT Amarillo (@TxDOTAmarillo) October 24, 2019
Wind had died down some, but snow has picked up. Looks like we have about an inch so far. Starting to accumulate on the road. Located one mile South of Lake Meredith in Fritch, TX.
Thursday 2:10pm CST
#txwx #phwx #txsnow @StormSearch7 @TxStormChasers @NWSAmarillo pic.twitter.com/YxnXEG12jj— Texas Farmhouse Photography (@texas_farmhouse) October 24, 2019
Meteorologist Taylor Ward said snow is particularly uncommon for Amarillo in October, but not unheard of.
One resident was able to capture a phenomenon called thundersnow using his GoPro and posted it on social media.
Got a better #thundersnow on the GoPro #txwx #phwx pic.twitter.com/KM5fVSrAJl
— Trades McGrady (@trades_mcgrady) October 24, 2019
Initial reports said 101 mm (4 inches) of snow was dumped 8 km (5 miles) west of Amarillo. The NWS said the biggest drifts as their office in Amarillo were between 254 mm to 305 mm (10 to 12 inches).
The Panhandle will continue to receive snow throughout the night, but according to Ward, it should wind down by midnight. "By the time it's done, a few spots could end up with around 152 mm (6 inches)."
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