A thunderstorm complex rolled southeast out of the Southern Plains into North Texas on May 25, producing several reports of hail and wind damage as it did so.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 FWD wrote it up.
A thunderstorm complex rolled southeast out of the Southern Plains into North Texas on May 25, producing several reports of hail and wind damage as it did so.
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 Fort Worth, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 25, 11:24 AM CST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 1224 PM CDT Fri May 25 2018 .AVIATION... /18z TAFs/ A complex of storms is moving southward toward the DFW Metroplex this afternoon. Some of this activity is expected to affect Metroplex TAF sites in a few hours, but will predominantly head eastward where convection is currently more focused along the outflow boundary. Farther west, the outflow boundary has been less active over the past hour, although it should be capable of serving as a focus for additional storms throughout afternoon within a highly unstable environment. Have introduced some VCTS and TS mentions this afternoon to account for this along with a brief north wind shift for the outflow boundary. Some scattered activity may reach the Waco TAF site late this afternoon or early evening. Overnight, another complex of storms is expected to move southeastward from western Oklahoma and affect TAF sites once again. Have bumped up timing a couple hours from previous TAFs based on latest trends in high-res guidance. Outside of thunderstorm-altered environments, VFR conditions and south winds will prevail through the other portions of the forecast period. There is a chance for some redevelopment of storms Saturday afternoon, but the potential is too low to include in the extended DFW TAF at this time. -Stalley && .UPDATE... /Issued 1012 AM CDT Fri May 25 2018/ A weakening complex of storms continues its southward track towards North Texas this morning. This activity is expected to reach our Red River counties prior to dissipating, where I've increased PoPs slightly through the morning hours. While severe weather is not expected with these particular storms, some gusty outflow winds and small hail will be possible near more robust updrafts. The outflow boundary from this decaying complex is expected to remain somewhere across North Texas this afternoon, and will serve as a focus for initiation of additional storms during the peak-heating hours. Have increased and expanded PoPs a bit across North Texas through late afternoon with this update. This activity will have the potential for some strong downburst winds given the deeply-mixed boundary layer and resultant inverted-V soundings contributing to over 1000 J/kg of DCAPE. Otherwise, we'll continue assessing the potential evolution of a convective complex which appears likely to arrive from Oklahoma later this evening and overnight. -Stalley && .SHORT TERM... /Issued 327 AM CDT Fri May 25 2018/ /Today and Tonight/ A warm and humid start to the day is expected today with temperatures early this morning in the mid 70s and dewpoints in the upper 60s. There is a little bit of scattered cloud cover across central Texas but southerly flow above the surface is weak and most areas will remain cloud free through sunrise. Farther to the north, a complex of thunderstorms is ongoing across parts of central Kansas with another smaller cluster entering northwest Oklahoma. Most of this activity is expected to weaken over the next several hours. For today, upper ridging will continue to slowly nudge eastward into the region keeping things hot and mostly dry. Highs will top out in the low to mid 90s with heat index values near 100 degrees. We'll be watching the remnants of the convection in Oklahoma later this morning. As it dies out, its remnant outflow boundary may manage to spread into parts of North Texas. While we won't have any other appreciable forcing for ascent, the boundary itself could lead to an isolated shower or storm during peak heating this afternoon. Slightly better rain/storm chances arrive later tonight. A weak disturbance is expected to spread through the central Plains late this afternoon. Thunderstorms are once again expected to develop across parts of southern Kansas and northwest Oklahoma. Given the north-northwest flow aloft and modest 0-6km shear, these should tend to organize into one or more clusters and spread southward late this evening. With slightly better 925-850 mb flow and an axis of rich theta-e air in place across western Oklahoma and northwest Texas, these storms should be able to persist well into the night. Modest instability and steep mid level lapse rates would support at least a low end severe threat well into the overnight hours. We'll have the highest rain chances after dark across our northwest and northern counties down to around I-20. Thunderstorms should begin to weaken during the late overnight hours as low level flow weakens significantly. Dunn && .LONG TERM... /Issued 327 AM CDT Fri May 25 2018/ /Saturday through next week/ Any convection associated with tonight's MCS will likely have either cleared our southern counties or dissipated by Saturday morning. While it's unclear if lingering subsidence in the wake of this activity will hamper renewed storm development during the afternoon, we'll hold onto some low (20%) PoPs across the eastern half of the CWA given lingering instability with shortwave ridging still displaced a bit to our west. While the potential for re-development does appear low at this time, increased deep layer shear (30-40 kts) could support a strong-severe threat within a moderately unstable airmass should a storm or two manage to initiate along any left-over boundaries. Otherwise, the main weather headline during the long term portion of the forecast will be the heat, as upper-level high pressure begins to build and spread northward into the southern CONUS. High temperatures over the Memorial Day Weekend are expected to top out in the upper 90s to just in excess of 100 degrees across some of our western counties. Dewpoint temperatures in the mid and upper 60s will make it feel like it's 98-104 or so, and only a hint of a southerly breeze will do little to take the edge off the humid conditions. While these values are just shy of our Heat Advisory criteria, we continue to stress the importance of exercising appropriate heat safety over the long weekend (checking the back seat of your car, staying hydrated, taking frequent breaks, etc.), especially since this will be the hottest stretch of the year so far. By Tuesday and into Wednesday, any tropical impacts look to remain displaced well to our east as this potential system will likely drift between a weakness between two high pressure centers. As the high to our south and west begins to build northward into the end of the week, our temperatures seem set to climb inexorably towards near-record values. The progged 590+ dm 500 mb heights by Thursday-Friday of next week are more typical of late July than early June. Unfortunately, it appears the summer doldrums may be here to stay, with extended ensemble guidance indicating even hotter conditions next weekend and beyond... Carlaw && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Dallas-Ft. Worth 95 75 96 74 97 / 30 40 20 5 0 Waco 93 73 96 73 96 / 20 30 20 5 0 Paris 91 71 93 71 94 / 60 30 20 5 5 Denton 94 72 96 73 98 / 30 40 10 0 0 McKinney 93 72 94 73 96 / 40 30 20 5 5 Dallas 95 76 96 76 97 / 30 30 20 5 0 Terrell 93 72 94 72 96 / 50 30 20 5 5 Corsicana 92 72 92 72 94 / 30 30 20 5 0 Temple 93 72 95 72 96 / 10 20 20 5 0 Mineral Wells 96 71 98 71 99 / 20 30 10 0 0 && .FWD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && 26/79
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 1213 PM CDT Fri May 25 2018 TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-261130- Montague-Cooke-Grayson-Fannin-Lamar-Young-Jack-Wise-Denton-Collin- Hunt-Delta-Hopkins-Stephens-Palo Pinto-Parker-Tarrant-Dallas- Rockwall-Kaufman-Van Zandt-Rains-Eastland-Erath-Hood-Somervell- Johnson-Ellis-Henderson-Comanche-Mills-Hamilton-Bosque-Hill-Navarro- Freestone-Anderson-Lampasas-Coryell-Bell-McLennan-Falls-Limestone- Leon-Milam-Robertson- 1213 PM CDT Fri May 25 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for North and Central Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon with the best chances east of I-35 and north of I-20. A few storms may become severe with damaging wind and large hail. There is a chance of thunderstorms again tonight mainly north of I-20 with the best chances along and north of a Bowie to Graham to Denton to Sherman line. Any storms that move into the region could be severe with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a chance of thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening mainly east of I-35. Any storms that develop could be severe with damaging winds and large hail. Heat index values will range between 100 and 103 degrees Saturday through next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation may be requested this afternoon and tonight mainly north of I-20.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
1103 AM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
TXZ092-093-251700-
Grayson TX-Cooke TX-
1103 AM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR COOKE AND GRAYSON COUNTIES UNTIL
NOON CDT...
At 1102 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Woodville to Leon. Movement was south at
20 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
LAT...LON 3396 9691 3387 9688 3382 9676 3384 9669
3392 9667 3390 9659 3384 9662 3373 9638
3340 9639 3343 9748 3392 9748 3383 9746
3382 9738 3388 9733 3386 9733 3392 9721
3372 9714 3396 9698
TIME...MOT...LOC 1602Z 347DEG 15KT 3394 9667 3387 9746
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
1146 AM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
TXZ092>094-251730-
Grayson TX-Cooke TX-Fannin TX-
1146 AM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN COOKE...GRAYSON AND
FANNIN COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM CDT...
At 1145 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Boswell to Kemp to Lindsay. Movement was
southeast at 20 mph.
Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Sherman, Denison, Gainesville, Bonham, Whitesboro, Van Alstyne, Howe,
Pottsboro, Leonard, Honey Grove, Collinsville, Whitewright, Gunter,
Bells, Tom Bean, Lindsay, Savoy, Ector, Dodd City and Callisburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3396 9691 3382 9676 3392 9667 3389 9660
3384 9662 3378 9643 3369 9635 3377 9629
3376 9619 3384 9615 3389 9594 3384 9585
3341 9586 3334 9638 3340 9639 3343 9728
3367 9736 3376 9719 3372 9711 3396 9698
TIME...MOT...LOC 1645Z 334DEG 17KT 3399 9589 3379 9637 3362 9725
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
1222 PM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
TXZ103-104-251800-
Collin TX-Denton TX-
1222 PM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR DENTON AND COLLIN COUNTIES UNTIL
100 PM CDT...
At 1220 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles west of Leonard to Sanger. Movement was
southeast at 20 mph.
Outflow winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible ahead of these
storms across Denton and Collin Counties.
Locations impacted include...
Plano, McKinney, Carrollton, Frisco, Denton, Richardson, Lewisville,
Allen, Flower Mound, Wylie, Coppell, The Colony, Southlake, Sachse,
Corinth, Highland Village, Addison, Trophy Club, Lake Dallas and
Sanger.
LAT...LON 3340 9639 3334 9638 3335 9629 3298 9630
3299 9740 3343 9738
TIME...MOT...LOC 1720Z 307DEG 18KT 3337 9639 3336 9719
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
1248 PM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
TXZ094-104-105-251830-
Hunt TX-Collin TX-Fannin TX-
1248 PM CDT FRI MAY 25 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN HUNT...COLLIN AND
SOUTHERN FANNIN COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM CDT...
At 1248 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Honey Grove to near Frisco. Movement was
southeast at 25 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Allen, Wylie, Greenville,
Sachse, Commerce, Murphy, Prosper, Royse City, Anna, Fairview,
Princeton, Celina, Lucas, Parker, Farmersville and Van Alstyne.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3320 9586 3305 9630 3298 9630 3299 9684
3341 9683 3340 9639 3343 9639 3366 9586
TIME...MOT...LOC 1748Z 308DEG 22KT 3359 9587 3319 9681
30The Dallas/Ft Worth radar (KFWS), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:19 UTC.
8 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A social media report indicated power poles down along Hwy 380 approximately 2 miles west of Hwy 75 in the city of McKinney, TX.
Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department reported nickel sized hail in the city of Palo Pinto.
Large hail reported on the east side of Lake Palo Pinto.
Wind shields broken out of cars on the west end of Lake Palo Pinto; near the marina.
Emergency management reported quarter sized hail 5 miles northeast of the city of Gordon, TX.
Emergency management officials reports one inch size hail in the city of Gordon.
Spotters report quarter size hail.
Baseball and softball size hail 4 miles north of De Leon.
RAWS site COAT2 reported a wind gust of 62 mph.
Baseball size hail reported 1 mile SSW of Comanche.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust of 59 MPH was reported at the Lampasas, TX Automated Weather Observation Station. The high wind was associated with a heat burst, and the temperature rose from 83 degrees to 94 degrees.
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: 757452, 757448, 757279, 757280, 757450, 757282, 757284, 757287, 757291, 757293, 757456.