Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of May 24th, as an upper level disturbance rotated north across East-Central Texas, ahead of a large upper level trough of low pressure slowly drifting east over much of the Rockies. Moderate instability developed during the afternoon is response to diurnal heating and a very moist air mass in place, such that some of these storms…
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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.
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of May 24th, as an upper level disturbance rotated north across East-Central Texas, ahead of a large upper level trough of low pressure slowly drifting east over much of the Rockies. Moderate instability developed during the afternoon is response to diurnal heating and a very moist air mass in place, such that some of these storms became severe, producing hail and multiple reports of damaging winds which downed trees and power lines across East Texas, Northwest Louisiana, and Southeast Oklahoma. These storms eventually weakened by early evening as the air mass stabilized in response to the more widespread rain cooled air.
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 24, 2:05 PM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 305 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 .SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Monday Night/ Increasing low-level moisture and instability has resulted in a surge of convection this afternoon, aided by an advancing upper level disturbance lifting north from central Texas coupled with an active sea breeze from the coast. These factors will continue to enhance shwrs and tstms through the remainder of this afternoon and into the evening hours although the overall convective coverage and intensity should gradually begin to lessen with the loss of heating after sunset. A Marginal Risk of severe weather continues to cover the much of the region with the threat of a few storms capable of dropping some strong gusty winds with heavy downpours, possibly leading to localized flooding where any training storms set up. A brief lull in convection will likely come later in the evening closer to midnight before the next major shortwave dives eastward across Texas ahead of the longwave trough entering the Plains. Therefore, expect another round of shwrs and tstms to take aim on the region early Monday, especially across the western half of the region closer to the SW to NE track of the shortwave before lifting north of the middle Red River Valley closer to midday on Monday. By Monday afternoon, expect convection to become more diurnally driven during peak heating as the main forcing mechanism will be shifting north of the region. However, expect convective coverage to remain quite high as moisture and instability will continue to be favorable for additional development beyond Monday afternoon into Monday night as the longwave trough dives farther SE from the Plains into north Texas. Therefore, have maintained high PoPs into Monday night with the trough digging farther SE and providing for increased forcing. With the additional rainfall expected to come, a Flash Flood Watch may need to be considered heading into early next week. For now, that threat does not appear to be sufficient to warrant flood headlines but will continue to closely monitor this potential. /19/ .LONG TERM.../Tuesday through Sunday/ These long-term discussions are probably starting to sound like a broken record regarding the extended. Towards the end of the short- term period, a longwave trough will be digging through the plains into central Texas. It's here where this low is anticipated to become cut off from upper level support, and become our weather producer into next weekend. Counterclockwise flow will allow for Gulf moisture to stream into the Four-States throughout the course of the long-term. This moisture will interact with this cut off low, continuously firing off afternoon shower and thunderstorms. Due to the nature of this slow low progression, rainfall rates will be moderate to heavy at times. This may result in localized flash flooding, and even more widespread flooding as the week goes on, depending on where some of the heavier bands of precipitation set up. Long-range guidance is still split on just where this closed low will ultimately establish itself. Some solutions favor a more western track, which would result in more precipitation for our area, where others put the low more east, which would mean less precipitation. Outside of the flooding threat, instability values are rather low, as are wind shear values. While an isolated severe storm can not be ruled, widespread severe weather is not anticipated. Due to the nature of the long-term forecast, look for below average high and low temperatures. This will be due to increase cloud cover, and precipitation during the afternoon. /44/ && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1255 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020/ AVIATION... For the 24/18Z TAF period, a mix of MVFR/low VFR cigs observed to begin this period as low-level SE flow continues to supply abundant Gulf moisture across our area terminals. With additional heating this afternoon, expect convection to become very active aided by an upper level disturbance shifting east from central Texas along with an enhanced sea breeze from the coast. Therefore, cigs/vsbys will be impacted with intermittent MVFR conditions continuing with TEMPO thunder and periods of brief heavy rainfall. Then, look for a gradual decrease in convection with the loss of heating by early to mid evening before another strong upper level impulse advances eastward across Texas overnight and into our western terminals by early to mid morning on Monday. Therefore, have reintroduced SHRA and VCTS at our East Texas sites just prior to daybreak. Cigs will likely drop back into the MVFR range as well during this timeframe with S/SE winds prevailing between 5-10 kts with higher gusts invof convection. /19/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 68 84 69 81 / 50 80 70 80 MLU 69 88 68 83 / 20 50 40 70 DEQ 65 82 65 79 / 70 80 90 90 TXK 67 82 67 78 / 70 80 80 90 ELD 66 87 67 82 / 40 60 60 80 TYR 67 80 66 77 / 70 60 80 80 GGG 67 82 66 79 / 50 70 80 80 LFK 68 83 68 81 / 50 70 70 80 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && 19/44
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1132 AM CDT Sun May 24 2020 ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077- TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-251645- 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- 1132 AM CDT Sun May 24 2020 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...This Afternoon and Tonight... Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage today during the late morning through the afternoon hours as low level moisture will increase ahead of an upper upper level disturbance that will move across East Texas. An isolated strong to severe thunderstorm will also be possible in the afternoon, as the marginal risk has been expanded into our area. Damaging winds will be the main threat with this activity. Additionally, heavy rain could lead to localized flooding in some areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... The Four State Region will be transitioning into a fairly wet period through the upcoming work week with a nearly stalled upper level trough west of our region. This will result in periods of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms through much of the extended forecast. Flash Flood watches may become necessary for portions of the Four State Region. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters may be needed this afternoon. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. 44
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
416 PM CDT SUN MAY 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0414 PM HAIL GILMER 32.73N 94.95W
05/24/2020 E1.75 INCH UPSHUR TX BROADCAST MEDIA
GOLFBALL-SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR GILMER.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
420 PM CDT SUN MAY 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0416 PM TSTM WND DMG 9 WSW BETTIE 32.75N 95.11W
05/24/2020 UPSHUR TX TRAINED SPOTTER
TREE DOWNED ON TOP OF VEHICLE WITH A PERSON
TRAPPED AT HARMONY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
441 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
OKZ077-242230-
McCurtain OK-
441 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN MCCURTAIN COUNTY UNTIL
530 PM CDT...
At 441 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles west of Broken Bow, or just southwest of Glover, moving east
at 25 mph. Other strong thunderstorms are developing over Southwest
McCurtain County near Valliant, and are slowly moving north
northeast.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Idabel, Broken Bow, Wright City, Valliant, Millerton, Garvin, Farmers
Hill, Rufe, Hochatown, Mount Herman, Sherwood, Holly Creek, Glover,
Slim, Oak Hill, Ringold and Golden.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3433 9463 3374 9480 3377 9482 3375 9483
3378 9491 3379 9492 3382 9491 3383 9492
3381 9492 3386 9497 3386 9504 3390 9506
3389 9510 3392 9508 3390 9512 3393 9512
3394 9516 3423 9515 3425 9505 3433 9504
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 262DEG 20KT 3407 9499
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
452 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
LAZ001-002-242230-
Bossier LA-Caddo LA-
452 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN CADDO AND
NORTHWESTERN BOSSIER PARISHES UNTIL 530 PM CDT...
At 452 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Greenwood to near Blanchard to Fosters.
Movement was north at 35 mph.
Strong winds between 40 and 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Shreveport, Bossier City, Vivian, Greenwood, Blanchard, Benton, Plain
Dealing, Oil City, Mooringsport, Hosston, Rodessa, Belcher, Ida,
Gilliam, Fosters, Alden Bridge, Ferguson, Cross Lake, Cavett and
Dixie.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3302 9384 3302 9358 3245 9365 3247 9384
3239 9401 3299 9404
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 182DEG 30KT 3249 9393 3253 9384 3252 9370
15PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
456 PM CDT SUN MAY 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0453 PM HAIL 3 SSW BOSSIER CITY 32.48N 93.73W
05/24/2020 E0.25 INCH CADDO LA BROADCAST MEDIA
PEA-SIZED HAIL REPORTED ALONG KINGS HIGHWAY
IN SHREVEPORT.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
500 PM CDT SUN MAY 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0457 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SE RED CHUTE 32.56N 93.60W
05/24/2020 E50 MPH BOSSIER LA BROADCAST MEDIA
50 MPH WIND GUST REPORTED IN COUNTRY PLACE
SUBDIVISION NEAR RED CHUTE.
&&The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 164 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:58 UTC.
1 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Kestrel Road near the intersection of Highway 98 was washed out due to heavy rainfall.
A tree was blown down on Moran Loop.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, May 2020
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: 887306, 887307.