A warm front spread very warm, humid, and unstable air north across much of the Ark-La-Tex during April 2nd-3rd, ahead of an upper level trough of low pressure that entered the Southern Plains. A strong cold front ahead of this storm system moved into the region on the 3rd, with strong forcing within the warm sector along and ahead of the front resulting in scattered to numerous showers and…
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 SHV wrote it up.
A warm front spread very warm, humid, and unstable air north across much of the Ark-La-Tex during April 2nd-3rd, ahead of an upper level trough of low pressure that entered the Southern Plains. A strong cold front ahead of this storm system moved into the region on the 3rd, with strong forcing within the warm sector along and ahead of the front resulting in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms as they organized into a squall line during the afternoon and evening. Some of these became severe, producing large hail and damaging winds across portions of North Louisiana. These showers and thunderstorms exited the region during the early evening hours of the 3rd.
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 Shreveport, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 3, 11:33 AM CST, 3 hours 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1233 PM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018
.AVIATION...
Showers and thunderstorms to increase in coverage across the
region, becoming widespread by 03/22Z with damaging winds
possible in some storms. Expect MVFR ceilings in and around
convection. Conditions to improve shortly after 03/00Z. Otherwise,
southwest winds up to 20 knots with higher gusts to remain
elevated and become northwest and then northeast overnight. Winds
to diminish to 10 to 15 knots on Wednesday. /05/
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1053 AM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018/
DISCUSSION...
Convection is rapidly developing across Central Texas. These
storms will likely expand in coverage and move eastward into
portions of East Texas and Louisiana south of Interstate 20 later
this afternoon. Per the 12z KSHV sounding, the environment across
the Four State Region is currently capped. Model guidance remains
consistent and in good agreement that the cap should rapidly erode
between 18z and 20z. A line of strong to severe convection should
quickly develop north of the Interstate 30 corridor along a
surface boundary currently moving southeast through North Central
Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, and Northwest Arkansas. Damaging winds
and large hail will continue to be the primary threats, but
isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Per coordination with
neighboring WFOs and SPC, Severe Thunderstorm Watch #25 has been
issued through 23z.
The latest high-res models also suggest the surface pressure
gradient will remain tight leading to gusty winds through the
early evening hours. The grids were updated to reflect this change
and to extend the Lake Wind Advisory through 00z.
/09/
PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 754 AM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018/
AVIATION...
For the 03/12Z terminal forecast will prevail MVFR flight
categories for the sites through the mid morning hours when
the ceilings of 1-3 KFT are expected to break up returning to
VFR. This morning the clouds have been in and out between VFR and
MVFR and will include mention of TEMPO groups. Have omitted
mention of SHRA/TSRA until the afternoon hours when heating and
approach of a cold front will produce convection. The cold front
will move quickly through the sites into the evening with showers
and thunderstorms ending with a brief return to MVFR ceilings and
possible visibility restrictions. VFR will prevail for the last 6
hours of the forecast period. A tight pressure gradient today will
produce Southerly winds of 15-20 knots with higher gusts to 25-30
knots with winds in wake of the frontal passage shifting to the
Northwest and North. Toward the end of the forecast period the
surface winds will be Decreasing to the Northeast less than 10
knots. /06/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV 44 64 42 73 / 70 0 0 0
MLU 45 63 40 72 / 80 0 0 0
DEQ 34 62 36 68 / 20 0 0 10
TXK 37 61 39 69 / 30 0 0 10
ELD 40 62 37 71 / 70 0 0 0
TYR 41 64 43 73 / 30 0 0 10
GGG 42 64 42 73 / 40 0 0 10
LFK 47 68 45 76 / 80 0 0 0
&&
.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ARZ050-051-
059>061-070>073.
LA...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LAZ001>006-
010>014-017>022.
OK...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for OKZ077.
TX...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for TXZ096-097-
108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167.
&&
05/06/09Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1057 AM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018 ARZ050-051-059>061-070>072-LAZ001>003-010-017-OKZ077-TXZ096-097- 108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-041200- Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette- Columbia-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-De Soto-Sabine-McCurtain-Red River- Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp-Morris-Cass-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith- Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-Rusk-Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina- San Augustine- 1057 AM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest Arkansas, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 6 PM this afternoon. A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 PM this evening. Strong to severe storms will be possible along and ahead of a cold front that will move through the region this afternoon and tonight. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats, but isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Otherwise, gusty southerly winds will make for hazardous boating conditions on area lakes today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... A series of storm systems will bring thunderstorms to the region late Thursday night through Saturday and then again Sunday and Monday. Although uncertainty exists, a few severe storms Friday and Friday night cannot be ruled out. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters will likely be needed this afternoon and tonight. ARZ073-LAZ004>006-011>014-018>022-041200- Union-Claiborne-Lincoln-Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita- Natchitoches-Winn-Grant-Caldwell-La Salle- 1057 AM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Arkansas, north central Louisiana and northwest Louisiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 PM this evening. Strong to severe storms will be possible along and ahead of a cold front that will move through the region this afternoon and tonight. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats, but isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Otherwise, gusty southerly winds will make for hazardous boating conditions on area lakes today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... A series of storm systems will bring showers and thunderstorms to the region late Thursday night through Saturday and then again Sunday and Monday. Although uncertainty exists, a few severe storms Friday and Friday night cannot be ruled out. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters will likely be needed this afternoon and tonight. 09
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
311 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
ARZ050-OKZ077-032045-
Sevier AR-McCurtain OK-
311 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN SEVIER AND NORTHERN
MCCURTAIN COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM CDT...
At 310 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 13 miles south of Octavia to 11 miles west of
Broken Bow. Movement was east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Broken Bow, Millerton, Eagletown, Plunketville, Holly Creek,
Cerrogordo, Glover, Hochatown, Watson, West Line, Oak Hill and
Golden.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 600 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas...and southeastern Oklahoma.
LAT...LON 3444 9446 3419 9447 3419 9434 3393 9445
3394 9447 3394 9448 3392 9448 3399 9505
3444 9468
TIME...MOT...LOC 2010Z 270DEG 27KT 3434 9469 3405 9494
FBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
313 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0235 PM HAIL BATTIEST 34.39N 94.93W
04/03/2018 E1.00 INCH MCCURTAIN OK PUBLIC
RETIRED CO-OP OBSERVER REPORTS QUARTER SIZE
HAIL IN BATTIEST.
&&
20PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
319 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0210 PM HAIL RUSK 31.80N 95.15W
04/03/2018 E0.88 INCH CHEROKEE TX PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORT VIA KLTV FACEBOOK PAGE.
&&
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
327 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
ARZ059-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-032045-
Little River AR-McCurtain OK-Bowie TX-Red River TX-
327 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN LITTLE RIVER...
SOUTHERN MCCURTAIN...NORTHWESTERN BOWIE AND RED RIVER COUNTIES UNTIL
345 PM CDT...
At 327 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles west of Idabel to near Deport. Movement
was east at 35 mph.
Half inch hail, brief moderate rainfall and winds in excess of 30
mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Clarksville, Idabel, De Kalb, Arkinda, Bagwell, Manchester, Detroit,
Avery, Millerton, Annona, Haworth, Garvin, Moon, Beaverdams,
Goodlake, Goodwater, Shinewell, America, Bokhoma and Farmers Hill.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 600 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas...southeastern Oklahoma...and northeastern
Texas.
LAT...LON 3371 9531 3399 9505 3391 9443 3346 9455
3351 9531
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 258DEG 33KT 3391 9494 3358 9538
FBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
336 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM HAIL 6 N REKLAW 31.96N 94.99W
04/03/2018 E1.00 INCH CHEROKEE TX PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORTS QUARTER SIZE HAIL NEAR LAKE
STRIKER VIA BROADCAST MEDIA.
&&
20Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Shreveport LA 340 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018 TXZ150>153-165-166-032130- Panola TX-Angelina TX-Nacogdoches TX-San Augustine TX-Shelby TX- Rusk TX- 340 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN PANOLA...SOUTHEASTERN RUSK...NACOGDOCHES...SHELBY...CENTRAL ANGELINA AND SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT... At 339 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Minden to near Lufkin. Movement was east at 65 mph. Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Center, Huntington, San Augustine, Tenaha, Timpson, Garrison, Joaquin, Melrose, Martinsville, Bland Lake, Neuville, Woden, Etoile, Macune, Shelbyville, Minden, Burke and Appleby. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 600 PM CDT for eastern and northeastern Texas. LAT...LON 3203 9405 3116 9406 3122 9477 3204 9470 TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 270DEG 57KT 3199 9468 3138 9473 05
The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 13 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:42 UTC.
17 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A large carport covering was damaged by strong winds. Report from the KTBS Facebook page.
A large tree was blown down in the Highland neighborhood. Report from the KSLA Facebook page.
A large tree was blown down across Old Mooringsport Road.
Power lines were downed sparking a fire outside the Royal Inn on North Market Street.
A tree and power lines were downed on Anna Street.
A large tree was blown down on a vehicle in a driveway in Haughton. Report from the KSLA Facebook page.
A tree was blown down across Highway 84 in Logansport. A power line was also downed on Highway 764 in Logansport as well.
A large tree was blown down on Highway 157 in Princeton.
Nickel size hail fell in the Long Lake subdivision in South Shreveport.
Quarter size hail was reported in the Ellerbe Estates in South Shreveport.
A metal carport was destroyed at a home in Dixie Inn.
A large tree was uprooted and fell on a home in North Minden. Report from the KSLA Facebook page.
Numerous trees and large limbs were blown down across much of Claiborne Parish.
Penny size hail fell in Farmerville.
Trees were blown down in Hodge.
A large pine tree was blown down onto a home on Brooks Lane.
Trees were blown down near Exit 107 on Interstate 20.
A tree was blown down onto a power line just northwest of Montgomery.
A 60 mph wind gust was estimated in the community of Luna.
A 58 mph wind gust was measured 3 separate times at the Monroe Regional Airport. These gusts were measured at 620 pm, 622 pm, and 629 pm.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Louisiana, April 2018
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: 742110, 742112, 742114, 742117, 742118, 742122, 742124, 742125, 742126, 742127, 742129, 742132, 742134, 742135, 742136, 742137, 742139, 742140, 742141, 742142.