Amarillo’s National Weather Service reported yesterday morning that rainfall totals over the previous last 48 hours had averaged 1-4 inches across much of the area, with the highest amounts extending from the SW Texas Panhandle northeast toward the north central Panhandle. 

The rainfall totals were reported just before a steady drizzle began in Canadian, which turned out to be a sudden, heavy downpour around 10 am Wednesday morning. That welcome, but brief, deluge, topped off local rain gauges with an additional 0.58 inches, added to Tuesday’s 0.11 inch dousing. Year-to-date rainfall totals here reached 20.44 at midweek....and counting.

According to the NWS forecast, Canadian was also well-positioned for heavy rainfall later yesterday evening—good news which came with this warning: It will not take much more rainfall to cause flooding in some areas.

A cold front was expected to move slowly across the Panhandles last night, providing additional chances for showers and storms and possibly some flooding. The heaviest rainfall was expected to focus across the eastern Panhandles initially, and to spread west through Thursday morning. Rainfall may persist behind the front this afternoon, but should become lighter in intensity through the day.