A squall line moved through northwestern Arkansas during the early afternoon hours of May 18th. Very strong low level wind shear and moderately strong instability ahead of the squall line resulted in the development of several tornadoes, as well as damaging wind, as the line of thunderstorms moved across the area.
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 TSA wrote it up.
A squall line moved through northwestern Arkansas during the early afternoon hours of May 18th. Very strong low level wind shear and moderately strong instability ahead of the squall line resulted in the development of several tornadoes, as well as damaging wind, as the line of thunderstorms moved across the area.
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 Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 18, 11:58 AM CST, 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tulsa OK 1258 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 .AVIATION... CONCERNING TAF SITES KTUL/KRVS/KBVO/KMLC/KXNA/KFYV/KFSM/KROG. Severe squall line will impact the northwest AR terminals from 1-3PM. Wind gusts to near 50 mph are possible as the leading edge sweeps through. There will also be the potential for isolated brief tornadoes. A widespread area of rain will continue for the eastern Oklahoma terminals through the afternoon, but the severe threat has passed. Rain will end by late this afternoon through early evening. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 1155 AM CDT Sat May 18 2019/ ..UPDATE... DISCUSSION... Severe squall line now pushing through eastern Oklahoma, with leading edge from Nowata to Claremore to just west of McAlester. Periodic mesovorticies are evident on radar, with possible brief tornado touchdowns. The tornadic threat will be decreasing for the Tulsa area, with the line moving east. The low level shear remains favorable for quick spin-ups along the leading edge of the convective line for areas downstream. Through the next few hours, tornadoes and damaging winds are the main threats for far eastern Oklahoma into western Arkansas. The severe and tornado threat for western Arkansas will increase by early afternoon as the line nears northwest Arkansas after 1pm. The threat has decreased behind the convective line for portions of northeast Oklahoma, so at the top of the hour, we will likely remove Osage/Pawnee/Creek counties from the tornado watch. Update will be sent after that. && .TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...None. AR...None. && AVIATION.....06 CORFIDI
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
130 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019
ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-191030-
Adair OK-Benton AR-Carroll AR-Cherokee OK-Choctaw OK-Craig OK-
Crawford AR-Creek OK-Delaware OK-Franklin AR-Haskell OK-Latimer OK-
Le Flore OK-Madison AR-Mayes OK-McIntosh OK-Muskogee OK-Nowata OK-
Okfuskee OK-Okmulgee OK-Osage OK-Ottawa OK-Pawnee OK-Pittsburg OK-
Pushmataha OK-Rogers OK-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-Tulsa OK-Wagoner OK-
Washington OK-Washington AR-
130 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019
This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.
.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight.
TORNADO.
RISK...Significant.
AREA...Far eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...Far southeast Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
RISK...Critical.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...Far southeast Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
FLASH FLOOD.
RISK...Limited.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
HEAVY RAIN.
RISK...Significant.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
DISCUSSION...
A severe line of thunderstorms continues across far eastern Oklahoma.
The leading edge of storms will affect areas in western Arkansas
through mid afternoon. The main threats are damaging wind gusts
and tornadoes which are forming on the leading edge of the line.
Any tornadoes which form will likely be quick spin ups and there
may not be much time ahead of warnings. If you live east of a line
from Vinita to Hugo, be sure to follow the weather this afternoon
so you can take shelter if needed. The tornado threat should
diminish by late afternoon, behind the line of storms.
SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Regional Spotter Networks have been Activated.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.
SUNDAY...No Hazards.
MONDAY...Thunderstorm Potential...High Wind Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
TUESDAY through THURSDAY...Thunderstorm Potential...High Wind Potential.
FRIDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
There will be a break in storms on Sunday, with more severe storms
likely on Monday and Tuesday. At this point, there is a threat for
all severe hazards, with a potential for heavy rain and flooding
as well. Follow the latest forecasts to get the most up to date
information.
weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.
CORFIDIPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
1247 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1206 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 NNW PRYOR 36.38N 95.35W
05/18/2019 MAYES OK AMATEUR RADIO
MAYES COUNTY REPORTING POWER LINES DOWN AT OR NEAR
INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROADS N430 AND W440.
&&
JDSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
1251 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1206 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 NW PRYOR 36.36N 95.38W
05/18/2019 MAYES OK LAW ENFORCEMENT
GRDA POLICE REPORTING POWER LINES AND TREES DOWN
NORTHWEST OF PRYOR, VICNINITY OF 450E ROAD AND 428 RD,
AND 428 RD AND 440 RD.
&&
JDSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
1257 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1254 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W LANGLEY 36.46N 95.07W
05/18/2019 MAYES OK BROADCAST MEDIA
STORM CHASER REPORTS TREES DOWNED ON POWER LINES WEST OF
LANGLEY. MUCH OF TOWN WITHOUT POWER.
&&
JDSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
100 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1254 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNW LANGLEY 36.48N 95.05W
05/18/2019 MAYES OK LAW ENFORCEMENT
GRDA POLICE REPORT POWER LINES DOWN VICINITY OF HIGHWAYS
82 AND 28 NEAR LANGLEY.
&&
JDSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
112 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1102 AM TSTM WND DMG 4 WSW BIXBY 35.92N 95.95W
05/18/2019 TULSA OK BROADCAST MEDIA
THUNDERSTORM WIND DAMAGE VICINITY OF 161ST AND HARVARD,
WEST OF BIXBY. FENCED DAMAGED AND PART OF OUTBUILDING
DAMAGED. SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT WITH PICTURE.
&&
JDSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
126 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1158 AM TSTM WND DMG MCALESTER 34.93N 95.77W
05/18/2019 PITTSBURG OK BROADCAST MEDIA
LARGE TREE DOWNED ONTO HOME. SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE AND
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO SIDE OF HOME. SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT
WITH PICTURE.
&&
JDSThe Tulsa radar (KINX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:48 UTC.
15 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees onto two homes.
This is the second segment of a two-segment tornado. The tornado moved into Fort Smith near the intersection of the state line and Phoenix Avenue. It moved east-northeast across town, damaging many homes and businesses, snapping and uprooting many trees, and snapping many power poles. It dissipated shortly after snapping large tree limbs on the south side of Mercy Hospital and crossing Rogers Avenue. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 95 to 105 mph.
Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees.
This tornado developed over northwest Greenwood, and moved east-northeast across the northern portion of town. It moved onto Fort Chaffee, where it dissipated. Homes were damaged, numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, and power poles were snapped by this tornado. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 100 to 110 mph.
Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted a few trees and snapped large tree limbs.
This tornado blew down trees and power poles. It was observed by several people. Based on the damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 85 to 95 mph.
Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
This is the first segment of a two-segment tornado. This tornado developed over a subdivision north of Ozark Lake where homes were damaged and trees were snapped. The tornado moved northeast, crossing the Arkansas River and into Crawford County. Based on the damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.
Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees onto three homes.
This is the second segment of a two-segment tornado. In Crawford County, this tornado snapped large tree limbs as it crossed the Arkansas River and moved ashore. Large tree limbs were also snapped as it crossed Highway 59, and then Gun Club Road. The tornado dissipated north of Gun Club Road over open country. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 75 to 80 mph.
This is the first segment of a two-segment tornado. This tornado developed south of Highway 22, west of Marietta Church Road, and moved northeast across Highway 22 where trees were uprooted. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 90 to 100 mph. The tornado continued into Franklin County.
This is the second segment of a two-segment tornado. Shortly after crossing into Franklin County, this tornado uprooted trees on Robertson Road. It continued northeast uprooting trees, damaging the roofs of homes, and damaging chicken houses on Jetton Road and Highway 217. The tornado dissipated east of N Rattlesnake Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 95 to 105 mph.
The ASOS unit at Drake Field measured 62 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down large trees.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down large trees.
This tornado developed on the west side of Mulberry, where trees were uprooted and homes were damaged. The tornado moved east across town, uprooting more trees and snapping large tree limbs before dissipating east of town just south of Highway 64. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 85 to 95 mph.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down large trees.
Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted small trees and snapped large tree limbs.
Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
Strong thunderstorm wind snapped and uprooted numerous trees north of town. Saint Mary's Lane was covered in downed trees from just north of town up to the church.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Arkansas, 2019Warnings in Arkansas, May 2019
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: 832387, 823703, 823701, 823705, 823714, 823706, 823710, 823708, 823712, 823713, 823711, 832386, 823709, 823715, 823716, 823723, 823724, 823725, 823717, 823726, 823719, 823720, 823722.