A supercell thunderstorm that formed in Roberts County moved south into Gray County during the late afternoon hours of May 15th, 2009. Five tornadoes were reported with this storm with an EF-2 tornado passing near the community of Lefors. The eastern side of the city of Pampa received extensive damage from hail and straight-line winds. The Pampa 2E mesonet station recorded a peak wind gust of 82 mph at 5:15 pm CDT from a possible rear-flank downdraft (RFD) associated with tornado formation 3-4 miles ENE of Pampa. The same storm would eventually cause wind damage in southern Gray County near McLean later in the evening (peak gust of 62 mph at the McLean station at 6:40 pm CDT).

Amarillo WSR-88D base reflectivity loop from 4:50-5:40 pm CDT on May 15th, 2009. XPMS ID is Pampa 2E mesonet station on map. Loop time matches up with peak weather at the Pampa mesonet station.

Amarillo WSR-88D base velocity loop from 4:50-5:40 pm CDT on May 15th, 2009.

Visible satellite image at 5:15 pm CDT on May 15th, 2009 showing supercell along front in the Texas Panhandle. Additional high-based convection forming on the South Plains (and eastern New Mexico) with severe storms in the Trans-Pecos and Big Bend regions.

Pampa 2E meteogram plot showing potential RFD followed by strong outflow winds. Click on thumbnail for full-sized image.

McLean 1E meteogram plot showing strong winds and heavy precipitation. Click on thumbnail for full-sized image.

Reese Center meteogram plot showing strong winds associated with high-based convection over southeast Hockley County. Downburst produced near zero visibility for several minutes. Click on thumbnail for full-sized image.