Very good low-level moisture and instability were in place as well as upslope winds along the higher terrain. The limiting factor in storm development was weak wind shear.
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 MAF wrote it up.
Very good low-level moisture and instability were in place as well as upslope winds along the higher terrain. The limiting factor in storm development was weak wind shear. Nevertheless, these conditions resulted in storms developing in West Texas and southeast New Mexico with strong winds, large hail, and 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 Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 23, 2:17 PM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 317 PM CDT Wed May 23 2018 .UPDATE...Severe Thunderstorm Watch #118 has been issued for Southeast New Mexico and Far West Texas thru 03Z. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 239 PM CDT Wed May 23 2018/ DISCUSSION...As of 2:00 PM CDT Wednesday...if you like very or extremely hot weather than this weekend and next week is for you. Have a strong storm over the Davis Mtns at this time. Some more storms are starting to form over the Guadalupe Mtns. These storms will continue to increase in coverage and intensity this aftn/evening over SE NM and West Texas as moisture is banked against the mtns in combination with intense heating and upslope flow. These storms will (should) dissipate before reaching the central PB tonight since they will be moving into the ridge and BL stabilization. Have followed the 12Z NAM NEST since it seems to have a good handle on the pattern. Storms could have gusty winds...large hail...and very heavy rains. Even though CAPE's will be in excess of 3000 J with little CIN in SE New Mexico and West Texas the limiting factor will be weak vertical shear. Storms will be on the decrease late tonight then dry weather is expected thru the weekend as ridging builds over the southern Plains. With the H85 ridge edging closer and the the low level moisture mixing temps will rise to record levels over the weekend. Expect temps 100-105 over the PB...around 105 in the Trans Pecos...and 110+ possible over the Rio Grande. Temps will be similar on Monday. Ridging will remain entrenched over the southern Plains next week. Have kept the CWA mainly dry...but there could be enough moisture trapped under the ridge combined with intense heating for an isolated storm. But the main story will be the extremely hot temperatures. With H85 temps exceeding 30C...and as hot as 34C from Tue thru Thursday it's possible we can break the all-time high temperature record for the month of May at Midland Intl Air and Space Port (the current all-time record for May at MAF is 108 degrees set in 1989 and 2000). For now...have high temps Tue and Wed around 105 in the PB...up to 110 in the Trans Pecos...and up to 115 along the Rio Grande. It's entirely possible that high temps could be as much as five degrees hotter than the current forecast. The temperatures next week will be dangerously hot. Remember to wear loose clothing and drink plenty of water (stay away from caffeine and alcohol since that will dehydrate you). Do not leave children...the elderly...and pets unattended in vehicles! Remember to stay hydrated! Strobin && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Big Spring 69 93 72 98 / 10 0 10 10 Carlsbad 63 92 67 99 / 40 10 10 0 Dryden 70 94 72 97 / 20 0 10 10 Fort Stockton 67 92 70 98 / 40 10 10 10 Guadalupe Pass 62 85 68 90 / 30 10 10 0 Hobbs 62 91 65 96 / 40 0 10 0 Marfa 60 87 63 91 / 30 30 10 10 Midland Intl Airport 69 93 71 98 / 10 0 0 0 Odessa 68 93 71 98 / 20 0 0 0 Wink 68 94 70 100 / 40 0 10 0 && .MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NM...None. TX...None. && 99/33
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 118 PM CDT Wed May 23 2018 NMZ027>029-033-034-TXZ045>048-050>053-057>063-067>070-074-075- 079>082-258-241830- Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County-Eddy County Plains- Northern Lea County-Central Lea County-Southern Lea County-Gaines- Dawson-Borden-Scurry-Andrews-Martin-Howard-Mitchell- Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor-Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos- Loving-Winkler-Ector-Midland-Glasscock-Ward-Crane-Upton-Reagan- Davis/Apache Mountains Area-Pecos-Presidio Valley-Marfa Plateau- Big Bend Area-Terrell-Guadalupe Mountains- 118 PM CDT Wed May 23 2018 /1218 PM MDT Wed May 23 2018/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast New Mexico, southwest Texas, and western Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening mainly across southeast New Mexico southward to the Guadalupe and Davis Mountains. A few storms will also be possible across the far western and northwestern Permian Basin south to the Big Bend area. Storms could become strong with a few severe, large hail, damaging winds, and locally heavy rain being the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Thunderstorms, some strong, are possible Thursday mainly in the Davis Mountains area. Strong winds and heavy rain will be the main threats. A few storms will possible on Friday across the eastern areas. The weather is expected to turn unusually hot starting Saturday and will gain momentum through the middle of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and statements issued by the National Weather Service Office in Midland, can be found on the internet at... http://weather.gov/midland
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 344 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018 TXZ058-074-075-232130- Pecos TX-Reeves County and Upper Trans Pecos TX- Davis/Apache Mountains Area TX- 344 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN PECOS...SOUTH CENTRAL REEVES AND NORTHEASTERN JEFF DAVIS COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT... At 344 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Balmorhea Lake, or 26 miles northeast of Fort Davis, moving northeast at 10 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Balmorhea, Balmorhea Lake, Saragosa, Balmorhea State Park, Verhalen, Toyahvale and Star Mountain. This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 204 and 235. 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. && A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southwestern Texas. LAT...LON 3058 10369 3089 10396 3116 10360 3087 10318 TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 236DEG 9KT 3093 10370 29
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
348 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018
TXZ080-232130-
Marfa Plateau TX-
348 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN PRESIDIO COUNTY
UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 348 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northeast of Big Bend Ranch State Park, moving north at 10 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Casa Piedra.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southwestern Texas.
LAT...LON 2957 10415 2961 10418 2986 10421 2986 10388
2954 10396
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 181DEG 7KT 2963 10408
24Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
409 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018
TXZ074-232200-
Davis/Apache Mountains Area TX-
409 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN REEVES AND CENTRAL
JEFF DAVIS COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CDT...
At 409 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles south of Kent, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Fort Davis, Bloys Camp, McDonald Observatory, Davis Mountains State
Park, Black Mountain, Star Mountain, Buffalo Trail Scout Camp, Indian
Lodge and Fort Davis National Historical Site.
This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 193 and 196.
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.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southwestern Texas.
LAT...LON 3107 10394 3064 10368 3047 10418 3075 10438
3081 10438
TIME...MOT...LOC 2109Z 222DEG 22KT 3084 10424
29PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
421 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0405 PM HAIL QUEEN 32.19N 104.75W
05/23/2018 E1.75 INCH EDDY NM TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
PAT.VESPERSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 422 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018 TXZ080-081-232215- Big Bend Area TX-Marfa Plateau TX- 422 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN BREWSTER AND EAST CENTRAL PRESIDIO COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM CDT... At 422 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 23 miles northeast of Big Bend Ranch State Park, moving northeast at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Casa Piedra. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southwestern Texas. LAT...LON 2963 10396 2974 10419 3015 10398 3003 10371 TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 206DEG 15KT 2984 10399 24
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
432 PM CDT WED MAY 23 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM TSTM WND GST 21 W ORLA 31.83N 104.27W
05/23/2018 M55.00 MPH Culberson TX PUBLIC
&&
AKLThe Holloman AFB radar (KHDX), 207 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:36 UTC.
3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A thunderstorm moved across Culberson County and produced two inch hail along Ranch Road 652. Over 20 vehicles were damaged along this road. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, May 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: 749695, 749696, 749746.