Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, May 20, 1983

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, May 20, 1983
Start: 1983-05-20T00:05
End: 1983-05-20T21:20
Location: Texas

May 20, 1983 · NWS AT · 80 events in 27 counties and zones

34 hail, 25 tornado, 21 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 5
Injuries: 30
Property damage: $26 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 80

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

34 hail, 25 tornado, 21 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Austin

When: May 20, 12:05 AM CST
Where: Austin County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 29.780, -96.150

Tornado, Liberty

When: May 20, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Liberty County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.8 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 30.050, -94.970

Tornado, Washington

When: May 20, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Washington County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 167 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 30.100, -96.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Caldwell

When: May 20, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Caldwell County
Coordinates: 29.850, -97.600

Hail, Harris

When: May 20, 12:33 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.970, -95.700

Tornado, Liberty

When: May 20, 12:35 AM CST
Where: Liberty County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 29.880, -94.880

Hail, Montgomery

When: May 20, 12:40 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.420, -95.450

Hail, Grimes

When: May 20, 12:40 AM CST
Where: Grimes County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 30.380, -96.080

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 20, 12:40 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Coordinates: 30.300, -95.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Grimes

When: May 20, 12:40 AM CST
Where: Grimes County
Coordinates: 30.380, -96.080

Hail, Harris

When: May 20, 12:45 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.980, -95.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Austin

When: May 20, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Austin County
Coordinates: 29.950, -96.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 30.030, -95.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Coordinates: 29.900, -95.320

Tornado, Austin

When: May 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Austin County
Rating: F1
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 167 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 29.950, -96.330

Hail, Travis

When: May 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Travis County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.300, -97.670

Hail, Hays

When: May 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Hays County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 30.080, -97.850

Hail, Bastrop

When: May 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Bastrop County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.320, -97.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Caldwell

When: May 20, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Caldwell County
Coordinates: 29.680, -97.650

Tornado, Austin

When: May 20, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Austin County
Rating: F1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 167 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 30.020, -96.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Coordinates: 30.020, -95.080

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 167 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 30.100, -95.620

Thunderstorm Wind, Waller

When: May 20, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Waller County
Coordinates: 30.020, -95.980

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 333 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 30.070, -95.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph)
Coordinates: 29.970, -95.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph)
Coordinates: 30.080, -95.420

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F2
Path length: 12 mi
Path width: 333 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 7 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 29.830, -95.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 20, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph)
Coordinates: 30.100, -95.230

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Coordinates: 29.900, -95.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Waller

When: May 20, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Waller County
Measured: 104 kt (120 mph)
Coordinates: 30.020, -95.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 1:40 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Coordinates: 29.880, -95.380

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 20, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Coordinates: 30.300, -95.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Liberty

When: May 20, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Liberty County
Coordinates: 30.070, -94.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Liberty

When: May 20, 2:30 AM CST
Where: Liberty County
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 30.130, -94.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 11:47 AM CST
Where: Harris County
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 29.980, -95.350

Hail, Liberty

When: May 20, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Liberty County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.070, -94.800

Hail, Comanche

When: May 20, 12:12 PM CST
Where: Comanche County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.900, -98.620

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 30.000, -95.250

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 12:31 PM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 29.670, -95.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When: May 20, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Harris County
Coordinates: 29.870, -95.130

Hail, Chambers

When: May 20, 12:53 PM CST
Where: Chambers County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.850, -94.780

Tornado, Chambers

When: May 20, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Chambers County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 29.830, -94.750

Hail, Chambers

When: May 20, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Chambers County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.820, -94.380

Hail, Liberty

When: May 20, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Liberty County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.070, -94.800

Hail, Hays

When: May 20, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Hays County
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 30.080, -97.850

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 30.030, -94.420

Hail, Chambers

When: May 20, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Chambers County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.770, -94.680

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:25 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.030, -94.330

Hail, Montague

When: May 20, 1:26 PM CST
Where: Montague County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.570, -97.850

Hail, Montague

When: May 20, 1:26 PM CST
Where: Montague County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.450, -97.770

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.920, -94.250

Hail, Chambers

When: May 20, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Chambers County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 29.770, -94.680

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.080, -94.100

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $250
Coordinates: 30.080, -94.130

Tornado, Chambers

When: May 20, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Chambers County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 29.820, -94.380

Hail, Bastrop

When: May 20, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Bastrop County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.330, -97.400

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:40 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 29.920, -94.250

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 20, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F2
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 167 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 9 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 29.950, -94.030

Hail, Bastrop

When: May 20, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Bastrop County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.000, -97.170

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F2
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 333 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 29.900, -96.100

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 20, 2:01 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.7 mi
Path width: 10 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 29.900, -93.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 20, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 30.070, -94.220

Tornado, Hale

When: May 20, 2:18 PM CST
Where: Hale County
Rating: F0
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 1,320 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 34.100, -101.800

Tornado, Floyd

When: May 20, 2:54 PM CST
Where: Floyd County
Rating: F1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 1,760 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 34.100, -101.500

Hail, Hardin

When: May 20, 3:01 PM CST
Where: Hardin County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.280, -94.170

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 20, 3:19 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.080, -94.100

Hail, Randall

When: May 20, 3:44 PM CST
Where: Randall County
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 34.980, -101.950

Tornado, Grimes

When: May 20, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Grimes County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 30.380, -96.080

Hail, Randall

When: May 20, 4:09 PM CST
Where: Randall County
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 35.200, -101.820

Hail, Potter

When: May 20, 4:09 PM CST
Where: Potter County
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 35.200, -101.820

Tornado, Floyd

When: May 20, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Floyd County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 34.120, -101.430

Tornado, Harris

When: May 20, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Harris County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 29.550, -95.030

Hail, Polk

When: May 20, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Polk County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 30.820, -95.130

Hail, Carson

When: May 20, 5:13 PM CST
Where: Carson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.200, -101.100

Hail, Motley

When: May 20, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Motley County
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 34.220, -100.980

Hail, Motley

When: May 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Motley County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.130, -100.820

Hail, Kent

When: May 20, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Kent County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.170, -100.750

Hail, Dickens

When: May 20, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Dickens County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.620, -100.770

Tornado, Cottle

When: May 20, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Cottle County
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $30
Coordinates: 34.000, -100.400

Hail, Stonewall

When: May 20, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Stonewall County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.180, -100.400

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Kind
Tornado, Washington	1983-05-20	Direct
Tornado, Harris	1983-05-20	Direct
Tornado, Harris	1983-05-20	Direct
Tornado, Jefferson	1983-05-20	Direct
Tornado, Harris	1983-05-20	Direct

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 1983 Every state in 1983 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 1983

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10143518, 10143519, 10143520, 10143521, 10143522, 10143523, 10143524, 10143525, 10143526, 10143527, 10143528, 10143529, 10143530, 10143531, 10143532, 10143533, 10143534, 10143535, 10143536, 10143537, 10143538, 10143539, 10143540, 10143541, 10143542, 10143543, 10143544, 10143545, 10143546, 10143547, 10143548, 10143549, 10143550, 10143551, 10143552, 10143553, 10143554, 10143555, 10143556, 10143557, and more.