Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 46, NWS Norman, OK

April 25, 2026Archer County, Clay County, Texas

NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Apr 25, 2026, 6:37 PM CDT for Archer County, Clay County, Texas. It was in force for 53 min. 3 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, 6:37 PM CDT (23:37 UTC)
Expired: Apr 25, 2026, 7:30 PM CDT
In force: 53 min
Issued by: NWS Norman, OK
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 2.0 in

Counties Archer County, TX, Clay County, TX

The radar

The Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:39 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 25, 6:46 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Ne Windthorst, TX
Apr 25, 6:53 PM CDT	TORNADO	5 Ne Windthorst, TX
Apr 25, 7:19 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Nne Shannon, TX	Two tornadoes on the ground.

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 3 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 9 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 25, 3:52 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Fort Worth, TX (KFWD), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 126 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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.

882 
WFUS54 KOUN 252337
TOROUN
TXC009-077-260030-
/O.NEW.KOUN.TO.W.0046.260425T2337Z-260426T0030Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a

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

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 637 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Windthorst, moving southeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.

  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, southwestern Lake Arrowhead, Shannon, and
  Joy.

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 3347 9839 3361 9851 3371 9843 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2337Z 310DEG 18KT 3362 9840 

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

$$

30

5 follow-up statements

895 
WWUS54 KOUN 252346
SVSOUN

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

TXC009-077-260030-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260426T0030Z/
Clay TX-Archer TX-
646 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY AND EAST CENTRAL ARCHER COUNTIES...

At 646 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 4 miles northeast of
Windthorst, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.

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, southwestern Lake Arrowhead, Shannon, and Joy.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 3347 9839 3361 9851 3371 9843 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 298DEG 15KT 3361 9836 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30

495 
WWUS54 KOUN 252350
SVSOUN

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

TXC009-260000-
/O.CAN.KOUN.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260426T0030Z/
Archer TX-
650 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ARCHER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 3347 9839 3362 9842 3369 9836 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 310DEG 18KT 3360 9834 

$$

TXC077-260030-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260426T0030Z/
Clay TX-
650 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTY...

At 650 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 5 miles east of
Windthorst, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.

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...
Southern Lake Arrowhead, Shannon, and Joy.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 3347 9839 3362 9842 3369 9836 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 310DEG 18KT 3360 9834 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30

639 
WWUS54 KOUN 252356
SVSOUN

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

TXC077-260030-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260426T0030Z/
Clay TX-
656 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTY...

At 656 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located 5 miles northeast of Windthorst, and is nearly stationary.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Southern Lake Arrowhead, Shannon, and Joy.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, an extremely dangerous and potentially deadly tornado is
on the ground. To protect your life, 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 3347 9839 3362 9842 3369 9836 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 270DEG 3KT 3362 9835 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30

420 
WWUS54 KOUN 260013
SVSOUN

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

TXC077-260030-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260426T0030Z/
Clay TX-
713 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTY...

At 713 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 10 miles south of
Bluegrove, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.

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...
Shannon and Joy.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 3347 9830 3355 9837 3362 9826 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 303DEG 16KT 3353 9824 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

30

279 
WWUS54 KOUN 260017 CCA
SVSOUN

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

TXC077-260030-
/O.COR.KOUN.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260426T0030Z/
Clay TX-
717 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTY...

At 716 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 11 miles south of Bluegrove, moving southeast at 20 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...
Shannon and Joy.

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 3347 9830 3355 9837 3362 9826 3361 9805
      3346 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 310DEG 17KT 3353 9824 

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, 5:59 PM CDT, 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 558 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, 5:59 PM CDT, 38 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
559 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 558 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...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 558 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

Thunderstorms capable of very large hail and tornadoes will continue
over south central Oklahoma and north Texas this evening, with the
area of storms gradually shifting eastward. Stratus should continue
to shrink and lift, though some patchy MVFR ceilings may linger over
north central and central Oklahoma. Overnight, MVFR to possibly IFR
ceilings will redevelop over much of the area. Winds will have some
variability in direction due to a front and outflows moving
through the area.

Day

&&

.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...14

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:11 PM CDT, 26 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
611 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0605 PM     Hail             3 S Corum               34.33N 98.10W
04/25/2026  E1.00 Inch       Stephens           OK   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

KS

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:15 PM CDT, 22 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
615 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0613 PM     Hail             1 N Duncan              34.52N 97.96W
04/25/2026  E1.25 Inch       Stephens           OK   Public

            Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).

&&

KS

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:16 PM CDT, 21 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
616 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0613 PM     Hail             2 S Comanche            34.34N 97.98W
04/25/2026  E1.00 Inch       Stephens           OK   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

KS

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:23 PM CDT, 14 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
623 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0602 PM     Tornado          8 N Archer City         33.71N 98.61W
04/25/2026                   Archer             TX   Broadcast Media

&&

KS

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:24 PM CDT, 13 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
624 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0617 PM     Hail             1 S Lakeside City       33.81N 98.55W
04/25/2026  E2.00 Inch       Archer             TX   Public

            Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).

&&

KS

Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:25 PM CDT, 12 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
625 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026

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

0618 PM     Hail             6 NW Lake Arrowhead     33.79N 98.42W
04/25/2026  E1.00 Inch       Clay               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.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 25, 4:56 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	OUN	Wichita	34 min
Apr 25, 5:07 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OUN	Clay, Wichita	53 min
Apr 25, 5:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OUN	Archer, Wichita	31 min
Apr 25, 5:48 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	OUN	Archer, Clay, Wichita	3 hr
Apr 25, 5:50 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	OUN	Archer, Clay, Wichita	40 min
Apr 25, 5:53 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	OUN	Wichita	4 hr
Apr 25, 5:55 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	OUN	Archer, Clay	50 min
Apr 25, 6:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	OUN	Archer, Clay	49 min
Apr 25, 6:40 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	OUN	Archer, Clay	3 hr

Nearby

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