Below Average Tornado Season In The Panhandle So Far

It's been a while since the Amarillo metro area has been directly affected by a tornado. But that doesn't mean that we haven't already seen our fair share of twisters throughout the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles so far in 2017.

As of August 1st, 2017, we have seen 12 documented tornadoes across the region which is so far below the yearly average of 15-16. No, 2017 isn't over yet, but we have shifted away from our primary severe weather season. More than half of this year's tornadoes were recorded on May 16th.

Some, as you can see, almost look like dots since these were tornadoes that just briefly touched down, while others have tracks going for several miles. The twisters are also colored coded according to the Enhanced Fujita Scale (how tornado strength is measured).