The May 16, 2017 McLean, Texas Tornado
Event Statistics
On May 16, 2017, a high-based supercell developed in the Texas Panhandle, producing a stunning and highly visible tornado near McLean, Texas. According to the National Weather Service Amarillo, the tornado was rated an EF2, with estimated peak winds of 115-125 mph.
This event became a landmark for visual storm documentation due to the tornado's transition from a slender "needle" into a violent, dirt-filled "drill bit" structure. The tornado remained mostly over open rangeland in Gray and Wheeler Counties, allowing for a clear view of the intense ground-level circulation and suction vortices.
The Archive: Captured by Caleb Elliott, this footage provides a detailed look at the tornado's lifecycle against the high-contrast backdrop of the Texas plains. This intercept is a primary example of Panhandle "dryline" supercell dynamics and is a featured record in the Vortex Media archive.