Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 59, NWS Norman, OK

April 26, 2026Cotton County, Oklahoma; Clay County, Wichita County, Texas

NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Apr 26, 2026, 6:14 PM CDT for Cotton County, Oklahoma; Clay County, Wichita County, Texas. It was in force for 46 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 26, 2026, 6:14 PM CDT (23:14 UTC)
Expired
Apr 26, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Norman, OK
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
3.0 in

Counties Cotton County, OK, Clay County, TX, Wichita County, TX

The radar

The Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 60 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:16 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 26, 3:55 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Fort Worth, TX (KFWD), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 173 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 2026-04-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2557 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 2026-04-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 215 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
2557 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-116 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
717 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
215 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
285 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.4
Supercell composite
12.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

450 
WFUS54 KOUN 262314
TOROUN
OKC033-TXC077-485-270000-
/O.NEW.KOUN.TO.W.0059.260426T2314Z-260427T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Norman OK
614 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southern Cotton County in southwestern Oklahoma...
  Northwestern Clay County in northern Texas...
  Northeastern Wichita County in northern Texas...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 613 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Sheppard AFB, moving east at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to three 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...
  Northwestern Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Petrolia, Byers, Dean,
  Randlett, Sheppard AFB, Taylor, Charlie, and Cashion.

This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 0 and 5.
 
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 3398 9861 3414 9862 3426 9818 3390 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 252DEG 18KT 3402 9854 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...3.00 IN

$$

TL
2 follow-up statements
576 
WWUS54 KOUN 262328
SVSOUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
628 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

OKC033-TXC077-485-270000-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260427T0000Z/
Cotton OK-Clay TX-Wichita TX-
628 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN COTTON...NORTHWESTERN CLAY AND EAST CENTRAL WICHITA
COUNTIES...

At 628 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Sheppard AFB, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and baseball 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...
Northern Wichita Falls, Petrolia, Byers, Dean, Sheppard AFB, Taylor,
Charlie, and Cashion.

This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 0 and 3.
 
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 3397 9854 3413 9855 3426 9818 3390 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 272DEG 13KT 3401 9846 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN

$$

TL
037 
WWUS54 KOUN 262344
SVSOUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
644 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

OKC033-TXC077-485-270000-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260427T0000Z/
Cotton OK-Clay TX-Wichita TX-
644 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN COTTON...NORTHWESTERN CLAY AND EAST CENTRAL WICHITA
COUNTIES...

At 643 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 6 miles northeast of Sheppard AFB, moving east 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...
Petrolia, Byers, Dean, Taylor, and Charlie.

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 3400 9849 3412 9847 3426 9818 3390 9819
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 281DEG 15KT 3403 9842 

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

$$

TL

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 26, 5:17 PM CDT, 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 514 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
  • Conditional risk for severe storms this afternoon and evening. If storms occur, all severe hazards would be possible including very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a low tornado risk.
  • Drier air moves in Monday, with elevated to near critical fire weather expected across western/northwestern OK.
  • Low storm chances across southeast OK Tuesday, better chances for showers and storms over the entire area Thursday into Friday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 26, 5:17 PM CDT, 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
517 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 514 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

- Conditional risk for severe storms this afternoon and evening.
  If storms occur, all severe hazards would be possible including
  very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a low tornado risk.

- Drier air moves in Monday, with elevated to near critical fire
  weather expected across western/northwestern OK.

- Low storm chances across southeast OK Tuesday, better chances
  for showers and storms over the entire area Thursday into
  Friday.

&&

.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 1135 AM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

A conditional severe risk with a complex set of meteorological
features is in place for today.

Warm air advection has been ongoing and has already produced a few
weak storms in north central Oklahoma this morning. Most of this
isolated to scattered activity is expected to remain weak, though a
strong storm or two can't be ruled out as we get into the afternoon
hours.

Later this afternoon and evening, we'll see the potential for
convection to focus in two main areas: along a dryline roughly near
and west of highway 81 (mainly southern Oklahoma and north Texas),
and in the warm front zone across northern Oklahoma.

Dryline convection will be more dependent on daytime heating with
upper support being quite distant. CAMs are inconsistent on whether
there's enough forcing to get storms to form, but any storms that do
form will have a risk for large to very large hail and tornadoes.

The warm front may be a later show as the upper wave approaches.
CAMs depict storms starting in northwest Oklahoma and moving
eastward across the state. Again, there is some uncertainty in
getting storms to form, but the chances are higher in this region.
Similarly, large to very large hail and tornadoes are both potential
hazards.

The tornado risk may be most acute when the low level jet starts to
ramp up this evening. This jet will also help storms persist into
the overnight period.

Day

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Monday through Tuesday night)
Issued at 1135 AM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

Southwesterly / westerly low level flow will bring in much drier air
on Monday, setting us up for elevated to near-critical fire weather
across western portions of the forecast area. The low level thermal
ridge is expected to set up across southwest Oklahoma into central
Oklahoma, putting it out of sync with the highest ERCs in northwest
Oklahoma. There will likely be some overlap to watch, but most areas
outside of northwest Oklahoma have seen enough green-up to mitigate
fire danger. Winds will be breezy (especially along the thermal
ridge) and highs will be in the 80s and 90s.

A weak cold front will enter northern Oklahoma Monday night, then
stall roughly halfway across the forecast area on Tuesday (though
there is still some uncertainty in this frontal position). This will
provide a focus for showers and storms along and south of the front
in south central Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon and evening. The front
will also set us up with a temperature gradient ranging from highs
in the lower 70s in northern Oklahoma to the low 90s in north Texas.

Day

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through Saturday)
Issued at 200 AM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

Dry/cooler conditions are forecast across the area on Wednesday as
low amplitude ridging will be in place over the southern Plains
ahead of another shortwave across the southwest US. Shower and
thunderstorm chances will then increase Thursday and especially
Friday as the wave draws moisture northward over the residual
frontal zone. Extensive warm air advection and isentropic ascent
is forecast could lead to heavy rainfall across portions of the
area (currently most favored across southern OK and western north
TX). The severe risk appears more uncertain and will depend on
whether or not sufficient instability can return northward.

Highs during this period will be below normal, mainly in the 60s to
low 70s through the weekend.

Ware

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 514 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

Showers and a few thunderstorms may impact portions of the area
this afternoon and evening, primarily across western north Texas
and southwestern Oklahoma, and northern Oklahoma. There is a
little uncertainty into impacting TAF sites, but it may be close.
LLWS will affect most TAF sites late tonight into early Monday
morning.

 &&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  69  88  55  80 /  20   0   0  20
Hobart OK         63  90  52  86 /  20   0   0  10
Wichita Falls TX  70  93  62  91 /  10   0   0  20
Gage OK           53  82  44  76 /  20   0   0   0
Ponca City OK     65  84  48  71 /  40   0   0  10
Durant OK         71  90  68  83 /  20  10  10  60

&&

.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 26, 5:22 PM CDT, 52 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
522 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0511 PM     Hail             1 WNW Iowa Park         33.96N 98.68W
04/26/2026  M1.50 Inch       Wichita            TX   Storm Chaser

&&

Mahale
Local storm report, Apr 26, 5:23 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
523 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0508 PM     Hail             2 NNW Iowa Park         33.98N 98.69W
04/26/2026  E1.00 Inch       Wichita            TX   Storm Chaser

&&

Mahale
Local storm report, Apr 26, 5:24 PM CDT, 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
524 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0511 PM     Hail             2 NNW Iowa Park         33.98N 98.69W
04/26/2026  E1.75 Inch       Wichita            TX   Storm Chaser

&&

Mahale
Local storm report, Apr 26, 5:25 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
525 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0519 PM     Hail             2 NNW Iowa Park         33.98N 98.69W
04/26/2026  E3.00 Inch       Wichita            TX   Storm Chaser

&&

Mahale
Local storm report, Apr 26, 5:43 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
543 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0535 PM     Hail             3 N Pleasant Valley     33.98N 98.60W
04/26/2026  E1.00 Inch       Wichita            TX   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&
Local storm report, Apr 26, 5:48 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
548 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0546 PM     Hail             1 W Sheppard Afb        33.98N 98.53W
04/26/2026  E1.75 Inch       Wichita            TX   Amateur Radio

&&

Mahale

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 25, 7:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGarvin, Murray, Pontotoc26 min
Apr 25, 7:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGarvin, Grady, McClain, Stephens26 min
Apr 25, 7:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNAtoka, Coal, Pontotoc39 min
Apr 25, 7:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGrady, Stephens18 min
Apr 25, 7:28 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNGarvin, Murray47 min
Apr 25, 7:33 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOUNAtoka, Coal, Garvin, Grady, Hughes, Johnston and 4 more5 hr
Apr 25, 7:38 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNJohnston, Murray, Pontotoc52 min
Apr 25, 7:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNAtoka, Coal49 min
Apr 25, 7:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNJohnston44 min
Apr 25, 7:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGarvin, Stephens42 min
Apr 25, 7:51 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNJohnston39 min
Apr 25, 7:53 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNGarvin, Grady, Stephens3 hr
Apr 25, 7:53 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNCarter, Johnston, Murray52 min
Apr 25, 7:56 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNMurray, Pontotoc5 hr
Apr 25, 8:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNMcClain28 min
Apr 25, 8:09 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNGarvin, Murray, Pontotoc25 min
Apr 25, 8:12 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNGarvin10 min
Apr 25, 8:14 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNGarvin, Murray3 hr
Apr 25, 8:16 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNJohnston44 min
Apr 25, 8:21 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOUNAtoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston, Murray3 hr
Apr 25, 8:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNAtoka, Coal, Johnston38 min
Apr 25, 8:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGarvin, Murray52 min
Apr 25, 8:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole44 min
Apr 25, 8:31 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNAtoka, Bryan, Johnston24 min
Apr 25, 8:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNAtoka, Bryan, Johnston54 min
Apr 25, 8:58 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNAtoka, Johnston5 hr
Apr 25, 9:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNJefferson34 min
Apr 25, 9:36 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOUNAtoka, Bryan3 hr
Apr 25, 9:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNAtoka, Bryan52 min
Apr 25, 10:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNAtoka, Coal, Johnston38 min
Apr 25, 10:20 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNAtoka, Bryan3 hr
Apr 25, 10:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNAtoka, Bryan20 min
Apr 26, 12:14 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNStephens31 min
Apr 26, 1:00 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNCarter30 min
Apr 26, 2:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCarter, Love38 min
Apr 26, 2:13 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNGarvin32 min
Apr 26, 2:18 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNLove27 min
Apr 26, 2:36 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCarter24 min
Apr 26, 2:54 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNLove36 min
Apr 26, 3:00 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNLove30 min
Apr 26, 3:02 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNCarter28 min
Apr 26, 3:55 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOUNCarter2 hr
Apr 26, 7:01 AM CDTRiver Flood AdvisoryOUNAtoka30 hr
Apr 26, 7:57 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNPayne33 min
Apr 26, 4:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNTillman51 min
Apr 26, 5:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNComanche, Cotton, Tillman51 min
Apr 26, 5:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOUNCotton39 min
Apr 26, 5:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNComanche, Cotton, Grady, Stephens49 min
Apr 26, 6:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNCaddo, Comanche, Grady, McClain, Stephens29 min
Apr 26, 6:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNComanche, Cotton, Stephens19 min
Apr 26, 6:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNKay32 min
Apr 26, 6:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNCotton, Jefferson46 min
Apr 25, 7:15 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOUNClay3 hr
Apr 25, 7:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNClay45 min
Apr 25, 7:24 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOUNClay3 hr
Apr 25, 7:26 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOUNClay19 min
Apr 26, 4:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWichita28 min
Apr 26, 5:47 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNWichita43 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 2026Tornado Warnings in Oklahoma, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.