Tornado and Hail in Texas, May 17, 1993

Name: Tornado and Hail in Texas, May 17, 1993
Start: 1993-05-17T14:30
End: 1993-05-17T21:54
Location: Texas

May 17, 1993 · 42 events in 24 counties and zones

34 hail, 7 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 41 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $567,000
Crop damage: $1,000
Events: 42

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, 7 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Stonewall

When: May 17, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Stonewall County, Aspermont
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.179, -100.253 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Stonewall County Sheriff's Office reported dime-size hail north of Aspermont. No damage resulted.

Hail, Lubbock

When: May 17, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Lubbock County, Ransom Canyon
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported quarter-size hail at Lake Ransom Canyon. Twenty minutes later, nickel-size hail fell at Acuff. No damage was reported from either event.

Hail, Lubbock

When: May 17, 2:56 PM CST
Where: Lubbock County, Acuff
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported quarter-size hail at Lake Ransom Canyon. Twenty minutes later, nickel-size hail fell at Acuff. No damage was reported from either event.

Hail, Crosby

When: May 17, 3:07 PM CST
Where: Crosby County, Lorenzo
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.615, -101.300 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Lorenzo EOC reported dime-size hail in Lorenzo. No damage was noted.

Hail, Lubbock

When: May 17, 3:17 PM CST
Where: Lubbock County, New Deal
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported dime to golf ball-size hail in New Deal. No significant damage resulted.

Hail, Lubbock

When: May 17, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Lubbock County, New Deal
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported dime to golf ball-size hail in New Deal. No significant damage resulted.

Hail, Lynn

When: May 17, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Lynn County, O'Donnell
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $500
Crop damage: $500
Coordinates: 33.177, -101.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A cluster of severe thunderstorms persisted over southern Lynn County for nearly 40 minutes. SKYWARN spotters and the Lynn County Sheriff's Office reported golf ball-size hail near the Wells Community, in O'Donnell, and west of O'Donnell. The hail accumulated in drifts several inches deep near Wells and resulted in minor roof, vehicle, and crop damage in the area.

Hail, Knox

When: May 17, 3:42 PM CST
Where: Knox County, Knox City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.606, -99.741 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Pecos

When: May 17, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Pecos County, Ft. Stockton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50
Crop damage: $50
Coordinates: 30.781, -102.724 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A radio station in Fort Stockton reported golf ball-size hail southwest of the city.

Hail, Lynn

When: May 17, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Lynn County, O'Donnell
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 33.177, -101.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Lynn

When: May 17, 4:18 PM CST
Where: Lynn County, O'Donnell
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Crop damage: $50
Coordinates: 33.177, -101.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Floyd

When: May 17, 4:24 PM CST
Where: Floyd County, Sterley
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 34.072, -101.303 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported nickel-size hail in Sterley.

Hail, Winkler

When: May 17, 4:33 PM CST
Where: Winkler County, Kermit
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.850, -103.048 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SKYWARN spotters reported dime to quarter-size hail in Kermit. No significant damage resulted.

Hail, Foard

When: May 17, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Foard County, Crowell
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 33.975, -99.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Winkler

When: May 17, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Winkler County, Kermit
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 31.850, -103.048 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SKYWARN spotters reported dime to quarter-size hail in Kermit. No significant damage resulted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Childress

When: May 17, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Childress County, Esteline
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 34.529, -100.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Childress

When: May 17, 5:04 PM CST
Where: Childress County, Childress
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph)
Coordinates: 34.529, -100.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Hardeman

When: May 17, 5:05 PM CST to 5:11 PM CST
Where: Hardeman County, Chillicothe
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 34.290, -99.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Hale

When: May 17, 5:06 PM CST
Where: Hale County, Plainview
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.071, -101.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Plainview Police Department reported dime-size hail west of Plainview, and quarter-size hail in Plainview. No significant damage resulted.

Hail, Hall

When: May 17, 5:07 PM CST
Where: Hall County, Esteline
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.531, -100.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Collingsworth

When: May 17, 5:08 PM CST
Where: Collingsworth County, Dodson
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.965, -100.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Hale

When: May 17, 5:14 PM CST
Where: Hale County, Plainview
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 34.071, -101.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Plainview Police Department reported dime-size hail west of Plainview, and quarter-size hail in Plainview. No significant damage resulted.

Hail, Wilbarger

When: May 17, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Wilbarger County, Vernon
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 34.081, -99.241 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Lubbock

When: May 17, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Lubbock County, Lubbock
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dime-size hail fell at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lubbock. No damage was noted.

Hail, Carson

When: May 17, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Carson County, White Deer
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.404, -101.354 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Ector

When: May 17, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Ector County, Odessa
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 31.869, -102.543 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A downburst destroyed the roof of a business in north Odessa. Estimated damage is around $70,000.

Hail, Mitchell

When: May 17, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Mitchell County, Colorado City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $500
Crop damage: $500
Coordinates: 32.306, -100.921 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SKYWARN spotters and the public reported golf ball-size hail in Colorado City. The hail covered the ground and caused minor damage to crops and vehicles. As the storm moved northeast, quarter-size hail fell north of Loraine, as reported by the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office.

Hail, Wheeler

When: May 17, 6:13 PM CST
Where: Wheeler County, Wheeler
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.401, -100.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Gaines

When: May 17, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Gaines County, Seminole
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.741, -102.635 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A cooperative observer and the public reported dime to nickel-size hail in northern and northwestern Gaines County. No damage resulted.

Hail, Gray

When: May 17, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Gray County, McLean
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 35.401, -100.813 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Wheeler

When: May 17, 6:27 PM CST
Where: Wheeler County, Allison
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph)
Coordinates: 35.401, -100.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Line of severe thunderstorms created strong outflow winds, hail up to golf ball-size and a tornado that damaged a grain elevator and wrapped a trampolin around a tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Archer

When: May 17, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Archer County, Sweetwater
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates: 33.615, -98.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Lubbock

When: May 17, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Lubbock County, Lubbock
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.610, -101.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported dime-size hail in western Lubbock. No damage was noted.

Tornado, Wheeler

When: May 17, 6:34 PM CST
Where: Wheeler County, Allison
Rating: F1
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 35.600, -100.170

Line of severe thunderstorms created strong outflow winds, hail up to golf ball-size and a tornado that damaged a grain elevator and wrapped a trampolin around a tree.

Hail, Foard

When: May 17, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Foard County, Crowell
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 33.975, -99.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe thunderstorms developed in the western portion of north Texas on the 17th and moved eastward. Hail up to two inches in diameter occurred with these storms. (G56)

Hail, Hale

When: May 17, 6:42 PM CST
Where: Hale County, Plainview
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.071, -101.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Plainview Police Department reported dime-size hail in Plainview.

Hail, Mitchell

When: May 17, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Mitchell County, Loraine
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $50
Coordinates: 32.306, -100.921 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Gaines

When: May 17, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Gaines County, Seminole
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 32.741, -102.635 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A cooperative observer and the public reported dime to nickel-size hail in northern and northwestern Gaines County. No damage resulted.

Hail, Nolan

When: May 17, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Nolan County, Roscoe
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 32.304, -100.406 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported dime to nickel-size hail near Roscoe. No damage resulted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stonewall

When: May 17, 8:27 PM CST
Where: Stonewall County, Aspermont
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 33.179, -100.253 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Stonewall County Sheriff's Office reported downburst winds to 80 miles an hour in Aspermont. The wind downed power poles and damaged the roofs of several buildings in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: May 17, 9:24 PM CST
Where: Taylor County, Dyess Air Force Base
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 32.301, -99.890 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Taylor

When: May 17, 9:54 PM CST
Where: Taylor County, Abilene Weather Servi
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.301, -99.890 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 1993 Every state in 1993 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 1993 Warnings in Texas, May 1993

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: 10352651, 10354396, 10354437, 10352148, 10354438, 10354439, 10354805, 10354584, 10353401, 10354806, 10354807, 10351657, 10355504, 10351754, 10355505, 10347753, 10347754, 10351035, 10351297, 10350553, 10351974, 10351298, 10355436, 10354440, 10348524, 10352377, 10350798, 10355258, 10351844, 10350549, 10355328, 10348087, 10354441, 10355260, 10351755, 10351299, 10350799, 10351845, 10354235, 10352652, and more.