Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 45, NWS Norman, OK

April 25, 2026Archer County, Clay County, Texas

NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Apr 25, 2026, 5:55 PM CDT for Archer County, Clay County, Texas. It was in force for 50 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 25, 2026, 5:55 PM CDT (22:55 UTC)
Expired
Apr 25, 2026, 6:45 PM CDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Norman, OK
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.75 in

Counties Archer County, TX, Clay County, TX

The radar

The Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 25, 6:02 PM CDTTORNADO8 N Archer City, TX
Apr 25, 6:18 PM CDTTORNADO2 Nw Scotland, TXSocial media report with image.
Apr 25, 6:46 PM CDTTORNADO4 Ne Windthorst, TX
Apr 25, 6:53 PM CDTTORNADO5 Ne Windthorst, TX

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 7 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 25, 3:52 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Fort Worth, TX (KFWD), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 148 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Fort Worth, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-04-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2880 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Fort Worth, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-04-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 200 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
2880 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-100 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
768 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
200 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
227 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.5
Supercell composite
5.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

472 
WFUS54 KOUN 252255
TOROUN
TXC009-077-252345-
/O.NEW.KOUN.TO.W.0045.260425T2255Z-260425T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Norman OK
555 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Clay County in northern Texas...
  Northeastern Archer County in northern Texas...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 554 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 7 miles northwest of Scotland, moving southeast at 20
  mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Scotland, Windthorst, and Lake Arrowhead.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter, safe room or an interior
room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you
are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest
substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3374 9866 3381 9856 3364 9822 3347 9848
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 312DEG 16KT 3372 9856 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

30
3 follow-up statements
454 
WWUS54 KOUN 252313
SVSOUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
613 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

TXC009-077-252345-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260425T2345Z/
Clay TX-Archer TX-
613 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY AND NORTHEASTERN ARCHER COUNTIES...

At 613 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles northwest of Scotland, moving southeast at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Scotland, Windthorst, and southwestern Lake Arrowhead.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter, safe room, or an interior
room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you
are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest
substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3372 9865 3377 9856 3362 9829 3348 9849
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 326DEG 5KT 3370 9858 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30
113 
WWUS54 KOUN 252317
SVSOUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
617 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

TXC009-077-252345-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260425T2345Z/
Clay TX-Archer TX-
617 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY AND NORTHEASTERN ARCHER COUNTIES...

At 617 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Scotland, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Scotland, Windthorst, and southwestern Lake Arrowhead.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter, safe room, or an interior
room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you
are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest
substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3370 9863 3375 9854 3362 9829 3348 9849
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 298DEG 21KT 3367 9847 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30
830 
WWUS54 KOUN 252332
SVSOUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
632 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

TXC009-077-252345-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260425T2345Z/
Clay TX-Archer TX-
632 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY AND EAST CENTRAL ARCHER COUNTIES...

At 632 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Scotland, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Scotland, Windthorst, and southwestern Lake Arrowhead.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter, safe room, or an interior
room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you
are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest
substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3364 9855 3371 9846 3362 9829 3348 9849
TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 307DEG 13KT 3364 9842 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 25, 1:27 PM CDT, 4 hours 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 124 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
  • Severe thunderstorms possible today with a risk for giant hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes (potentially strong).
  • Briefly drier Monday into Tuesday before additional storm chances return next week.
  • Fire weather ramps up on Monday with elevated to near critical conditions.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 25, 1:27 PM CDT, 4 hours 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
127 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 124 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

- Severe thunderstorms possible today with a risk for giant hail,
  damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes (potentially strong).

- Briefly drier Monday into Tuesday before additional storm
  chances return next week.

- Fire weather ramps up on Monday with elevated to near critical
  conditions.

&&

.NEAR TERM...
(Rest of today and tonight)
Issued at 124 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Severe storms with the potential for giant hail and tornadoes will
be the main impact today.

Our synoptic setup includes a weak shortwave moving across the area,
a warm front pushing north into southern and central Oklahoma, and a
dryline setting up in western north Texas. Abundant low level
moisture (dewpoints in the 60s and 70s) will yield a very unstable
environment (3000-4000 J/Kg). Meanwhile, low level shear will be
enhanced along and north of the warm front with strongly backed
surface flow. This morning's stratus is quickly clearing from the
southwest with the progression of the warm front.

Most models have storms developing along and just north of the
front, stretching from near central Oklahoma into southeast
Oklahoma. There are also some hints at a few storms developing off
the dryline in north Texas, though forcing seems weaker there. Most
likely time for initiation looks to be between 4 and 6pm. Initial
storms will be discrete, with a risk for giant hail and tornadoes.
The environment would favor splitting supercells. As we go into the
evening, expect the low level jet to increase and storms to grow
more upscale.

Day

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Sunday through Monday night)
Issued at 124 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Overnight convection from Saturday night may linger into Sunday
morning, mainly southeast Oklahoma, though a few models show showers
expanding along the front into north central Oklahoma. Storm
development Sunday afternoon appears very conditional (10-20%
chance) with stout capping and a mistimed wave working against storm
chances. That said, if storms do develop, strong instability and
shear would support all severe hazards.

Monday, fire weather returns with RH driven elevated to near
critical RFTIs across much of western Oklahoma and western north
Texas into parts of central Oklahoma. Winds will be 15 to 20 mph
gusting to 30 mph from the west / southwest with RH values dipping
into the single digits. Recent greenup will limit fire concerns in
central parts of the state. Additionally, the low level thermal
ridge looks to be displaced south of the highest ERCs in northwest
Oklahoma.

Sunday and Monday will both feature highs in the upper 70s to mid
90s with breezy south to southwest winds.

Day

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through Friday)
Issued at 205 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Model spread increases mid to late week regarding the degree of
moisture recovery and related storm/severe chances. The latest
guidance has trended towards a more suppressed solution with much
of our area remaining to the north of the deeper moisture. That
said, it is not forecast to be all that far away and with
westerly/southwesterly flow being maintained over the region
through much of the week it would not take much of a shift back
north to bring additional severe chances to the area. Regardless,
models do agree on the next bigger shortwave approaching the
area Friday, bringing increased precipitation chances to much of
the region. Temperatures will start out near or slightly above
normal Tuesday, with below normal temperatures then forecast for
the remainder of the week into the weekend.

Ware

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1224 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Stratus will be briefly eroding across southwest Oklahoma and
western north Texas with terminal KSPS remaining in a VFR
category through the forecast period. However, terminal KLAW may
degrade to an IFR category by 08Z with stratus breaking out.
Stratus will linger across our remaining terminals keeping them in
a MVFR to periods of IFR categories. Thunderstorms may develop
across central through southeast Oklahoma between 21-04Z although
probabilities will be at 30% across our two terminals in the OKC
Metro (KOKC & KOUN) but high enough for a TEMPO group across
terminals KSWO, KPNC, and KDUA. Should any convection develop in
that time frame it has a potential of being severe with large
hail, damaging wind gusts, and a tornado as the severe hazards.
Currently surface winds out of the southeast up to 10 kts although
expecting them to veer more southerly as a warm front lifts.
However between 00-06Z a cold front pushes partially through our
area shifting winds more northerly across terminals in western
Oklahoma with wind speeds up to 10 kts.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  61  84  68  88 /  20  10  10   0
Hobart OK         57  90  62  91 /  10  10  10   0
Wichita Falls TX  62  93  70  94 /  10  10  10   0
Gage OK           51  85  55  84 /  20  20  10   0
Ponca City OK     59  77  64  84 /  60  30  20   0
Durant OK         64  87  71  91 /  60  20  20  10

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...None.
TX...None.
&&

NEAR TERM...14
SHORT TERM...14
LONG TERM....08
AVIATION...68

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 25, 5:14 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
514 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

OKZ031-040-042-252245-
Garvin OK-Pontotoc OK-Seminole OK-
514 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Garvin,
south central Seminole and central Pontotoc Counties through 545 PM
CDT...

At 514 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Stratford, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Ada, Stratford, Byng, Stonewall, Francis, Fitzhugh, and Vanoss.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor NOAA Weather
Radio, local radio stations or available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3468 9651 3464 9651 3468 9706 3486 9706
      3485 9693 3487 9693 3491 9649 3468 9649
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 269DEG 36KT 3478 9697

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Bunker
Local storm report, Apr 25, 5:29 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
529 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0525 PM     Hail             2 WSW Wichita Falls     33.90N 98.52W
04/25/2026  E1.00 Inch       Wichita            TX   Amateur Radio

&&

EM
Local storm report, Apr 25, 5:32 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
532 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0530 PM     Hail             4 NNW Lakeside City     33.87N 98.58W
04/25/2026  E1.00 Inch       Wichita            TX   Broadcast Media

&&

EM
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 5:40 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
540 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

OKZ047-048-052-252315-
Atoka OK-Johnston OK-Bryan OK-
540 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Johnston, northwestern Bryan and southwestern Atoka Counties through
615 PM CDT...

At 540 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles southeast of Nida, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Durant, Caddo, Silo, Caney, Kenefic, Armstrong, Nida, and Bentley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor NOAA Weather
Radio, local radio stations or available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3399 9650 3416 9656 3433 9607 3407 9598
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 253DEG 21KT 3410 9645

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Bunker
Local storm report, Apr 25, 5:52 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
552 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0542 PM     Hail             5 SE Holliday           33.77N 98.62W
04/25/2026  E2.00 Inch       Archer             TX   Trained Spotter

&&

KS
Local storm report, Apr 25, 5:54 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
554 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0548 PM     Hail             2 NW Lakeside City      33.85N 98.58W
04/25/2026  E1.00 Inch       Wichita            TX   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

KS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Norman, OK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 25, 4:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWichita34 min
Apr 25, 5:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNClay, Wichita53 min
Apr 25, 5:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNArcher, Wichita31 min
Apr 25, 5:48 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOUNArcher, Clay, Wichita3 hr
Apr 25, 5:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNArcher, Clay, Wichita40 min
Apr 25, 5:53 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNWichita4 hr
Apr 25, 6:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNArcher, Clay49 min
Apr 25, 6:37 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNArcher, Clay53 min
Apr 25, 6:40 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNArcher, Clay3 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.