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When we set out for the Texas Panhandle, with a target of Happy TX, I never imagined the challenges we would face. A powerful LLJ blasted the region with 50 to 60 mph sustained winds. The sky filled with dust and visibility was as bad as I have ever seen it on the Plains. Although this region looked ripe for supercells and maybe some panhandle magic, it was going to prove *very* tough to see anything…
![This dust is gonna be a problem Canyon, TX 04:33 PM](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_C2877837-3E8F-4559-9717-C8BA94C25D88-10127-00000242180866B0-1920x1440.jpg)
![Dusty day in Happy, TX 05:24 PM](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_60E41A1D-7094-4C28-8B57-7C255F3B4C4B-10127-000002537C973EAD-1920x1440.jpg)
![Developing supercell swimming in dust Kress, TX 06:17 PM](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_1C8591A8-8C20-46D3-BD12-B8736ABA6FB7-10127-00000265195699FE-1920x1440.jpg)
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TULIA_1-1920x1280.jpg)
![Tulia, TX 06:52 PM](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_7F7011B2-6CF6-4932-89FC-A0864184725E-887x1920.jpg)
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TULIA_2-1920x1280.jpg)
ABOVE: At last the supercell tried to shake off the dust and reveal itself as it approached from the southwest.
![Wow. That changed ⚡️ Tulia, TX 07:48 PM](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_D18F5D5C-68F3-4109-94F7-AD09D2D71C62-1920x1440.jpg)
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TULIA_3-1920x1280.jpg)
ABOVE: The supercell developed a flat, circular base and began to take on classic characteristics as the sun began to set, setting an eerie but beautiful scene through the dust.
![Tulia, TX 07:50 PM](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_AC4D6D40-5A6D-4714-A01F-F9246D0C33F6-1920x1440.jpg)
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_FEC1170F-BC00-46B1-B122-BD7160FBD57E-10127-00000287105CDAD7-1920x1440.jpg)
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_C25ABE39-780C-48C6-A0AB-53642228B8AB-10127-0000028C88A19EA1-1920x1440.jpg)
![Wayside, TX 08:17 PM ⚡️ #txwx](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image_picker_4B927A41-C54D-43AF-8411-81006FAB34BD-1920x1440.jpg)
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TULIA4-1920x1256.jpg)
ABOVE: Probably the closest our storm came to becoming tornadic happened near Wayside at around 8:20pm. The supercell wrapped hard and tried to develop a nub lowering at the top of the updraft curl.
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TULIA5-1920x1280.jpg)
ABOVE: Pretty colours and beautiful structure set the scene as the storm passed over the Palo Duro Canyon.
![](https://highwaysandhailstones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TULIA6-1920x1280.jpg)
ABOVE: The storm wasn’t tremendously active in terms of lightning, but it did manage to light up for a few minutes as it became tornado-warned and, finally, moved away to the northeast. All in all, dusty and difficult – but fun – chase day!
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