Hail and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, May 23, 2018

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, May 23, 2018
Start: 2018-05-23T17:00
End: 2018-05-23T17:15
Location: Oklahoma

May 23, 2018 · NWS SHV · 4 events in 1 county or zone

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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS SHV wrote it up.

A weak shear axis lingered from the Southeast Texas coast north across East Texas into Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas on May 23rd. Strong heating and ample low level moisture near this shear axis allowed for moderate instability by afternoon, contributing to the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms across East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and North Louisiana. Some of these storms briefly became severe, downing trees near the Rufe and Wright City communities, damaging a roof to a barn near Valliant, and producing small hail as well.

What forecasters said that day

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 May 23, 2:02 PM CST, 2 hours 58 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 23, 2:02 PM CST, 2 hours 58 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
302 PM CDT Wed May 23 2018

.SHORT TERM.../tonight through Thursday Night/

Isold convection has developed by mid aftn, but expecting a
little more coverage by early eve, before diurnal dissipation
occurs. With pwat values around 1.6 to 1.9, and K index values in
mid to upper 40s, very little reason to think much will be
different on Thursday, with widely sct to sct diurnal convection
and aftn temps either side of 90 degrees along with overnight
temps either side of 70 degrees. Lgt winds to continue as
well./07/

.LONG TERM.../Friday Morning through Tuesday Night/

Broad upper-trough across the central Gulf of Mexico extending
through Louisiana and into the Mississippi River Valley to maintain
a chance of mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms
trough the weekend. Surface and upper trough to move inland on
Sunday night across the northeast gulf coast near the Florida
panhandle. As this disturbance drifts north and east, upper-level
ridge to build across the Red River valley bringing hot and dry
conditions across the ArkLaTex early next week.

Temperatures from Friday through Monday to range from highs in the
lower 90s to lows around 70. Expect a gradual warming trend early
next week with high temperatures across East Texas on Monday and
Tuesday to approach the mid 90s.

Otherwise, best chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms
through the weekend will be across northeast Louisiana and south-
centeral Arkansas. /05/

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1247 PM CDT Wed May 23 2018/

AVIATION...
Although cumulus development is only taking place gradually at
some locations, isold convection has begun to recently develop
elsewhere. Juicy unstable airmass suggest that rapid development
is possible, although weak wind shear suggest cells very slow
movers and svr wx unlikely. For now, will handle with vcnty tstms
and update to localized thunder at areal terminals when necessary.
Fog possible where rain occurs but very localized and cannot
narrow down this 18z taf package. Sfc winds mostly lgt and vrbl
thru period but could be gusty near convection./07/.

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1037 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018/

UPDATE...
Decided not to lower pops as airmass quite juicy with K index
values in mid/upper 30s and lack of any dry layers on areal 12z
soundings. Scattered convection movg nwd across I-10 attm which
may justify high end chance across southern portions of area,
while stgr moisture convergence across nrn portions of area may
allow for more rapid development once convective temps around
upper 80s are reached in mid aftn. No update needed but reran
zones and rec to remove morning wording./07/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  71  91  71  90 /  30  40  20  30
MLU  72  90  70  90 /  30  50  20  40
DEQ  67  87  68  89 /  30  50  20  30
TXK  69  88  69  89 /  30  50  20  30
ELD  68  88  69  90 /  30  50  20  30
TYR  71  88  71  91 /  20  30  20  30
GGG  71  89  71  91 /  20  30  20  30
LFK  69  88  70  91 /  20  30  20  40

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
LA...None.
OK...None.
TX...None.
&&

Hazardous weather outlook, May 23, 4:25 AM CST, 12 hours 35 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
525 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-
TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-241100-
Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette-
Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-De Soto-
Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine-Natchitoches-Winn-
Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-McCurtain-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp-
Morris-Cass-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-Rusk-
Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine-
525 AM CDT Wed May 23 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central
Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest
Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible today and
into tonight across the entire Four State Region. The best chances
for thunderstorms will be this afternoon during peak daytime
heating. This activity should slowly decrease through the evening
and nighttime hours. Brief heavy downpours, gusty winds, and
frequent cloud to ground lightning will be the primary threats.
While an isolated storm could become severe, widespread severe
thunderstorms are not expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Scattered thunderstorms are expected each day from Thursday
through Tuesday. The greatest thunderstorm activity is expected
each afternoon during peak daytime heating, and any storms that
develop will gradually dissipate during the evening. Brief heavy
downpours, gusty winds, and frequent cloud to ground lightning
will be possible, but widespread severe weather is not expected.

A tropical low pressure system moving northward from the Gulf of
Mexico and along the Mississippi River may provide more widespread
and persistent thunderstorm chances across mainly Southern
Arkansas and Northern Louisiana Saturday through Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency management personnel, amateur radio
operators, and storm spotters is not anticipated through tonight.

09

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 23, 2:02 PM CST, 2 hours 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
302 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

LAZ001-TXZ138-151-232045-
Caddo LA-Panola TX-Harrison TX-
302 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

At 302 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Deberry, or 17 miles northeast of Carthage, moving northwest at 20
mph.

Half inch hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Greenwood, Waskom, Deberry, Elysian Fields, Midyett, Deadwood, Front
and Spring Ridge.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3238 9437 3252 9404 3223 9389 3219 9395
      3220 9404 3214 9404 3210 9412
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 153DEG 15KT 3226 9407

05

Special weather statement, May 23, 2:29 PM CST, 2 hours 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
329 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

TXZ111-112-232115-
Cass TX-Morris TX-
329 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

At 328 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hughes Springs, or 21 miles west of Atlanta, moving northwest at 15
mph.

Half inch hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Daingerfield, Linden, Hughes Springs, Naples, Omaha, Rocky Branch,
Avinger and Marietta.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3326 9465 3325 9464 3325 9461 3326 9459
      3325 9458 3327 9456 3327 9453 3328 9452
      3299 9437 3290 9456 3312 9482 3318 9481
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 149DEG 15KT 3301 9452

05

Special weather statement, May 23, 3:09 PM CST, 1 hour 51 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
409 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

LAZ001-TXZ126-138-232200-
Caddo LA-Harrison TX-Marion TX-
409 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL CADDO PARISH...
SOUTHEASTERN MARION AND EASTERN HARRISON COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CDT...

At 408 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Elysian Fields to near Waskom. Movement
was north at 15 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Shreveport, Marshall, Vivian, Greenwood, Waskom, Oil City,
Mooringsport, Karnack, Elysian Fields, Woodlawn, Gray, Scottsville,
Uncertain, Caddo Lake, Leigh, Jonesville, Bethany and Nesbitt.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3288 9399 3246 9386 3238 9407 3235 9427
      3266 9448
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 161DEG 12KT 3241 9420 3249 9402

20

Special weather statement, May 23, 3:12 PM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
412 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

TXZ097-112-232200-
Cass TX-Bowie TX-
412 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CASS AND
SOUTHEASTERN BOWIE COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CDT...

At 412 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Atlanta, moving north at 15 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Atlanta, Queen City, Redwater, Maud, Douglassville and Red Hill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3306 9417 3304 9438 3338 9449 3342 9417
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 172DEG 14KT 3313 9429

20

Special weather statement, May 23, 3:15 PM CST, 1 hour 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
415 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

TXZ108>110-232200-
Camp TX-Franklin TX-Titus TX-
415 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FRANKLIN...WESTERN TITUS AND
WESTERN CAMP COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CDT...

At 414 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Leesburg, moving north at 15 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg, Leesburg, Mount Vernon, Scroggins,
Newsome, Winfield, Miller's Cove, Rocky Mound, Hopewell and
Monticello.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3336 9499 3295 9498 3293 9515 3300 9515
      3299 9516 3298 9516 3297 9518 3296 9517
      3296 9520 3297 9520 3332 9531 3333 9527
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 172DEG 14KT 3302 9510

20

Special weather statement, May 23, 3:55 PM CST, 1 hour 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
455 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

LAZ017-018-232245-
Natchitoches LA-Sabine LA-
455 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN NATCHITOCHES AND
CENTRAL SABINE PARISHES UNTIL 545 PM CDT...

At 454 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southeast of Many, or 16 miles north of Anacoco, moving
northwest at 5 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Many, Zwolle, Converse, Oak Grove, Florien, Provencal, Noble, Fisher,
Robeline, Kisatchie, Mount Carmel, Belmont and Negreet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3156 9318 3138 9311 3137 9341 3148 9363
      3183 9380 3183 9356 3170 9344 3169 9321
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 125DEG 6KT 3150 9331

06

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 150 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, McCurtain

When: May 23, 5:00 PM CST
Where: McCurtain County, 0.77 mi E of Slim
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.081, -95.087

Penny size hail fell near JC's Store on Pine Creek Road southeast of the Rufe community.

Thunderstorm Wind, McCurtain

When: May 23, 5:00 PM CST
Where: McCurtain County, 2.12 mi SSE of Rufe
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.091, -95.139

A tree was blown down across Beaver Dam Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, McCurtain

When: May 23, 5:05 PM CST
Where: McCurtain County, 1.85 mi ESE of Slim
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.067, -95.072

Trees were blown down on Browning Road west of Wright City.

Thunderstorm Wind, McCurtain

When: May 23, 5:15 PM CST
Where: McCurtain County, 1.82 mi NE of North Valiant
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.020, -95.079

The roof was blown off of a barn on Old Highway 98 just northeast of Valliant.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, May 2018

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: 747027, 747028, 747029, 747030.