An area of storms formed across Oklahoma and western north Texas in the vicinity of several fronts/boundaries overnight on the 28th into early 29th. Besides severe weather and a tornado, slow moving storms and extensive shower coverage also led to flash flooding.
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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.
The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.
An area of storms formed across Oklahoma and western north Texas in the vicinity of several fronts/boundaries overnight on the 28th into early 29th. Besides severe weather and a tornado, slow moving storms and extensive shower coverage also led to flash flooding.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 28, 6:00 PM CST, 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Norman OK 700 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017 .DISCUSSION... The severe thunderstorm potential with possible tornadoes is ramping up especially south of a developing surface boundary from near Sayre to a Stillwater line. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding potential is increasing as well across much of Oklahoma and north Texas. The main line storms of interest from south of Hollis, Oklahoma to near Knox City, Texas will continue to move northeast in the next several hours. As low level shear increases (0-1 km shear 30-40 kt), the line will contain mesovortices that may produce tornadoes, mainly quick and brief spinnups. Pockets of damaging winds up to 80 mph may occur with this line as well. Heavy rainfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour are likely with this line as it moves northeast, which may cause flash flooding. The Wichita Falls and Lawton areas will be affected in the 8-10 pm time frame. This line will likely continue northeast, but may weaken slightly, by time it reaches the I-35 corridor from Oklahoma City south to Ardmore in the 10 pm to midnight time frame, though still believe there will be some damaging wind, tornado, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding risk. Will also closely monitor for the development of isolated supercells east and ahead of this line in parts of western north Texas and central and southern Oklahoma in the next few hours. If they form, which is possible due to strong forcing and cooling mid level temperatures to weaken a cap, very large hail and tornadoes would be possible. Not sure this will occur. The showers and thunderstorms forming from north of Lawton north to Ponca City appear to be elevated and rather unorganized. This activity has a much lower chance to be severe in the next few hours as instability is weaker across northern Oklahoma compared to locations farther south. MBS && .AVIATION... Forecast confidence in the TAFs remains low. TSRA will affect most, if not, all sites in the next several hours, bringing variable gusty winds, brief IFR or lower conditions, and perhaps some hail. Confidence in hail occurrence remains too low to mention at any given site. Think most TSRA will end by 10 UTC, though some -SHRA may linger in some locations. Widespread IFR or lower conditions with BR may occur 06-18 UTC. Only mentioned these conditions mainly north of KLTS-KOKC where confidence of occurrence is higher compared to locations south. IFR conditions will likely linger after 18 UTC near KWWR and KGAG while other locations should improve to MVFR or VFR. MBS && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 201 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017/ DISCUSSION... Will keep this relatively short as things will start getting busy this afternoon. Expect marginal severe weather with the storms over northwestern Oklahoma this afternoon, but the main show is beginning to develop in west Texas and will move toward our southwestern zones. Much higher surface dewpoints are moving west-northwest through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and toward our southwestern zones allow surface moisture to increase ahead of the arrival of the storms. Severe storms will be likely with storms tonight. Although with time this evening, the convection is expected to evolve toward a linear or QLCS configuration, airmass would definitely support some supercells this afternoon and early evening. Strong forcing associated with the approaching upper wave will create widespread storms tonight, so continue with categorical POPs and the chance of locally heavy rainfall. Precipitation chances continue tomorrow as the upper low slowly moves over the area. Expect cooler air and a break in storm chances Thursday/Friday before the next in a series of upper lows approaches. && .OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...None. TX...None. && 17
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Norman OK 633 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017 OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-292345- Harper-Woods-Alfalfa-Grant-Kay-Ellis-Woodward-Major-Garfield- Noble-Roger Mills-Dewey-Custer-Blaine-Kingfisher-Logan-Payne- Beckham-Washita-Caddo-Canadian-Oklahoma-Lincoln-Grady-McClain- Cleveland-Pottawatomie-Seminole-Hughes-Harmon-Greer-Kiowa-Jackson- Tillman-Comanche-Stephens-Garvin-Murray-Pontotoc-Coal-Cotton- Jefferson-Carter-Johnston-Atoka-Love-Marshall-Bryan-Hardeman- Foard-Wilbarger-Wichita-Knox-Baylor-Archer-Clay- 633 PM CDT Tue Mar 28 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northern... western...central...and southern Oklahoma...and western north Texas. .DAY ONE...This eveing and overnight... .Thunderstorms... There is a Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms across southwest Oklahoma and all of western north Texas with an Enhanced and Slight Risk over the rest of the area. Location... The Moderate Risk area is south of a line from Hollis to Duncan, and west of a line from Duncan to Bellevue Texas. This includes all of western north Texas. The Enhanced Risk area generally covers locations near and south of I-40. The Slight Risk area covers the rest of Oklahoma south of a line from Ponca City, to Enid, to Arnett. Timing... The most likely time for severe storms will be 6 PM to 2 AM. Impacts... Large hail up to the size of tennis balls and damaging wind gusts in excess of 70 mph will be the main hazards. Tornadoes will also be possible, especially across western north Texas and southwest Oklahoma. This location is also where the largest hail will be possible. Farther north and east, damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazard. Discussion... Discrete severe thunderstorms are expected to consolidate into one or more lines through the evening. With greater instability and wind shear across western north Texas and southwest Oklahoma, there will be a tornado threat at least through the first half of the evening, especially with storms that are able to remain discrete. As the storms develop into lines, bowing structures will pose primarily a damaging wind threat into the overnight hours as they move east and northeast across central and southern Oklahoma. As this occurs, the overall threat for large and damaging hail will decrease but a secondary threat for a few tornadoes will continue. .Heavy rain... Heavy rainfall will be likely across much of the area. The most likely area for the heaviest rainfall will be across western north Texas and areas near and south of I-44. Localized flash flooding will be possible. .SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STATEMENT... Storm spotter groups and emergency management personnel across the risk areas should prepare for severe weather operations from this evening into the overnight hours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... .Thunderstorms... There is a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday, mainly east of I-35 during the afternoon hours. Thunderstorm chances will then continue each day through Monday. Severe thunderstorm chances will return Saturday. .Heavy rainfall... Heavy rainfall will be possible Wednesday across southeast Oklahoma. Flooding will be possible. Get graphics and more details at weather.gov/norman...and follow our weather forecast office on Twitter and Facebook.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
449 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
TXZ083-084-087-282215-
Foard TX-Knox TX-Hardeman TX-
449 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR western Foard...western Knox and
southern Hardeman Counties Until 515 PM CDT...
AT 445 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 11 miles southeast
of Chalk, moving northeast at 50 MPH. This storm will move into
western Foard County and could become severe.
In addition... severe thunderstorms are moving northeast through
King and Stonewall County that will move into Knox and Foard
Counties after 515 pm.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
LAT...LON 3421 10004 3411 9973 3340 9986 3340 9999
3383 10000 3384 10005
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 202DEG 45KT 3375 10010
..speg.SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
550 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
OKZ022-023-035-037-038-282315-
Kiowa OK-Tillman OK-Washita OK-Caddo OK-Comanche OK-
550 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR eastern Kiowa...north central
Tillman...southeastern Washita...southern Caddo and northwestern
Comanche Counties Until 615 PM CDT...
AT 548 PM CDT, strong thunderstorms were along a line extending from
4 miles south of Snyder to near Apache, moving northeast at 50 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 40 MPH...
Locations impacted include...
Anadarko, Carnegie, Apache, Snyder, Mountain View, Binger, Fort Cobb,
Mountain Park, Gracemont, Gotebo, Cooperton, Meers, Tom Steed
Reservoir, Boone, Albert, Lake Lawtonka, Alfalfa, Fort Cobb
Reservoir, Lake Ellsworth and southwestern Fort Sill.
LAT...LON 3504 9900 3526 9860 3538 9812 3485 9831
3448 9905
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 202DEG 45KT 3459 9894 3490 9838
MAHALESPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
604 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
OKZ009-014>016-021-282330-
Roger Mills OK-Dewey OK-Beckham OK-Custer OK-Ellis OK-
604 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR eastern Roger Mills...
southwestern Dewey...northeastern Beckham...western Custer and south
central Ellis Counties Until 630 PM CDT...
AT 602 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 5 miles northwest of
Elk City, moving north at 50 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
Locations impacted include...
Hammon, Leedey, Strong City, Angora and Moorewood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3598 9942 3590 9913 3546 9935 3546 9936
3545 9936 3541 9959 3594 9961
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 192DEG 44KT 3549 9945
MAHALESPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
617 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
OKZ016-017-022>024-035-038-282345-
Kiowa OK-Washita OK-Canadian OK-Caddo OK-Custer OK-Comanche OK-
Blaine OK-
617 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR northeastern Kiowa...eastern
Washita...western Canadian...Caddo...southeastern Custer...
northwestern Comanche and southwestern Blaine Counties Until 645 PM
CDT...
AT 615 PM CDT, strong thunderstorms were along a line extending from
3 miles west of Gracemont to near Cooperton, moving north at 50 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
Locations impacted include...
Weatherford, Anadarko, Cordell, Hinton, Carnegie, Apache, Geary,
Hydro, Mountain View, Binger, Fort Cobb, Corn, Eakly, Gracemont,
Roosevelt, Gotebo, Lookeba, Colony, Bridgeport and Cooperton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3511 9902 3512 9897 3534 9902 3555 9866
3570 9818 3487 9829 3482 9902
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 185DEG 42KT 3520 9832 3489 9890
MAHALESPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
646 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
OKZ022-023-035-038-290015-
Kiowa OK-Washita OK-Caddo OK-Comanche OK-
646 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR northeastern Kiowa...southeastern
Washita...southwestern Caddo and northwestern Comanche Counties Until
715 PM CDT...
AT 644 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles southeast of
Cooperton, moving north at 45 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3473 9865 3472 9888 3524 9881 3528 9863
3519 9848
TIME...MOT...LOC 2344Z 190DEG 40KT 3480 9874
MAHALEPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
659 PM CDT TUE MAR 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0655 PM HAIL ELMER 34.48N 99.35W
03/28/2017 U1.75 INCH JACKSON OK COUNTY OFFICIAL
.
&&
NWS NORMAN OK
IRIS SYSTEMThe Dyess AFB radar (KDYX), 98 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:10 UTC.
8 hail, 3 flash flood, 1 tornado, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Video captured tornado.
Road was closed due to flooding.
City streets were flooded.
Water was over the road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2017Warnings in Texas, March 2017
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: 687600, 684916, 684917, 684918, 684919, 684920, 684921, 684922, 684923, 684924, 684925, 684926, 684927.