A warm front lifted north into Deep East Texas and the southern sections of North Central Louisiana by afternoon on April 19th, ahead of a vigorous upper level trough that ejected east from New Mexico across Texas. Large scale forcing increased by afternoon ahead of the trough as it approached the expanding warm sector, characteristic of moderate instability and strong wind shear.
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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.
A warm front lifted north into Deep East Texas and the southern sections of North Central Louisiana by afternoon on April 19th, ahead of a vigorous upper level trough that ejected east from New Mexico across Texas. Large scale forcing increased by afternoon ahead of the trough as it approached the expanding warm sector, characteristic of moderate instability and strong wind shear. Areas of showers and thunderstorms developed and became widespread near and north of the warm front, and limited the northward progress of the front, but severe thunderstorms still developed within the warm sector across Deep East Texas and Northcentral Louisiana, resulting in areas of damaging winds across these areas. An isolated elevated severe thunderstorm also developed over portions of Lamar County Texas, which moved into Red River County and produced quarter size hail near Clarksville. These storms eventually weakened during the mid evening hours with the passage of the trough through 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 Shreveport, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 19, 7:49 AM CST, 1 hour 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 849 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 .UPDATE... Tornado Watch #120 has been issued for all of our Louisiana Parishes along with counties across east and deep east Texas along and south of I-20. National Mosaic Radar imagery showing thunderstorms developing along and west of I-45 between Houston and Dallas. Expecting this activity to gradually increase in coverage and intensity and eventually push into the area over the next few hours. /33/ && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 714 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020/ AVIATION... For the 19/12Z TAF period, a very active terminal forecast period lies ahead over the next 24 hours as showers and thunderstorms are expected to rapidly develop later this morning and spread NE over the region along an advancing warm front. The threat of severe weather will increase throughout the day in response to this warm front ushering in much warmer and unstable air ahead of a strong cold front and upper level disturbance, which will combine to enhance the convection throughout much of today. Damaging winds, large hail, and even some tornadoes will be possible with severe storms that develop from late morning through the afternoon hours. The severe threat will diminish heading into the early evening as the cold front advances east along with the upper trough pivoting across the Red River Valley with some residual convection possible beyond 20/00Z. In terms of cigs/vsbys, deteriorating conditions are expected through much of the period with IFR/LIFR categories common at all sites this morning. Most sites will see intermittent MVFR cigs this afternoon into this evening in between rounds of convection, but look for cigs/vsbys to deteriorate once again by 20/06Z or shortly thereafter through the end of the period. Winds will veer S/SW ahead of the cold front later today with northerly winds following fropa and speeds averaging near 10 kts, likely much higher with stronger gusts invof of any severe convection. /19/ PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 441 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020/ SHORT TERM.../Today through Monday/ .Another Significant Severe Weather Event Expected Today... Sfc analysis early this morning indicates the warm front along the TX/LA coast has begun its northward retreat with dew points in the mid and upper 60s to lower 70s eventually spreading across much of our region later this morning into the afternoon. The warm front is progged to reach near the I-20 corridor by around midday just as a cold front begins to shift east of I-35 in north central TX toward the Ark-La-Tex. Looking aloft, a rather progressive and potent upper level trough will be quickly ejecting eastward from eastern NM across TX to provide ample forcing for rapid upscale growth of thunderstorms in the expanding warm sector from East Texas across much of North Louisiana through late this morning. These storms may initially originate as clusters with an eventual QLCS complex likely forming with continued progression farther east. During this initial phase of convection, large hail and damaging winds will be the most likely threats. However, as the day wears on, the likelihood of more individual sfc-based storms will increase, especially across much of North Louisiana and back into Deep East Texas where a Moderate Risk of severe weather is highlighted in SPC's Day 1 Convective Outlook. This area will be of greatest concern for the possibility of several strong and potentially long-tracked tornadoes due to the increasingly warm and buoyant environment as instability approaches 2000-2500 J/kg at the sfc and possibly higher into the afternoon with 0-1 km shear values in the 300-400 m2/s2 range. Hence, the Moderate Risk area is indicative of the increasing tornado threat as we shift from late morning into the afternoon along and south of the warm front, generally near the AR/LA border westward along I-20 in East Texas which is encompassed in the Enhanced Risk area. The tornado threat decreases sharply as you move farther north into Southwest Arkansas and along the I-30 corridor where a Slight Risk is found. Any severe storms across this area would most likely pose a large hail or damaging wind threat from late morning through afternoon. As the cold front enters the region later on today, the tornado threat will gradually diminish from west to east as we approach the evening hours. However, much like last weekend's severe event, the upper trough will just begin to pivot into the region as it tracks along the Red River Valley with additional strong to severe convection possible from late afternoon through around sunset. If this potential second round does materialize, large hail would be the main concern along with damaging winds as a secondary threat. Although the threat for flash flooding is generally low for this event, cannot rule out some localized flooding where storms drop an inch or two of rainfall in a short amount of time. Otherwise, the severe weather threat should be wrapping up entirely by early evening as the cold front quickly races toward the coast and upper trough shifts east toward the Mississippi River. Much cooler air will spill in behind the front as temperatures dip down into the 50s for overnight lows. Post-frontal conditions on Monday may allow for partial clearing, but expect cloud cover to generally linger through the day with temperatures rebounding into the mid to upper 70s for afternoon highs, very seasonable for this time of year as we look toward the final third of this very active month of April. /19/ LONG TERM.../Monday Night through Sunday Night/ Monday Night, we will be dealing with WNW flow aloft across much of the Southern Plains/Lower Miss Valley. The cold front that will move through our region late today into tonight will be located along the SE TX/LA Gulf Coast to begin the period. Sfc ridging will be in place across our region resulting in rather pleasant temperatures Monday Night. As we move into Tue, sfc ridging will move well east of our region, allowing for returning southerly component to our wind and as a result, should see temperatures warming into the lower 80s across many locations. The warming trend will continue into Tuesday Night as we should quickly see returning low level moisture by this time ahead of our next storm system set to effect our area Wed/Wed Night. This next upper level trough will move quickly out of the Four Corners Region of the country Tue Night and into the Plains on Wed. Flow across the Southern Plains/Lower Miss Valley will quickly shift from WNW to SW and we should begin to see good upper forcing moving into at least our west half during the day Wed. Medium range progs are showing good agreement with sfc cyclogenesis moving quickly out of the OK/TX Pndl region of the country Wed Morning, into Eastern OK late Wed Aftn and into Central AR early Thu Morning. Given this track of the sfc low, our entire region should be well into the warm sector as 2M dewpoints of 65+ should have returned to our northern most zones with 70+ dewpoints possibly as far north as the I-20 Corridor late Wed Aftn/Night. Adding to this the likelihood of the trough ejecting out with a negative tilt given LFQ region of a 120Kt upper jet and with an obvious uptick in instability ahead of this trough axis late Wed/Wed Night with increasing mid level and low level shear parameters, there is enough confidence in adding severe wording to our weather grids and given PWAT values nearing 2 inches during this timeframe as well, will add heavy rain wording to the grids as well. Depending on how much rainfall our region sees over the next 24 hours, this mid week system could result in more widespread flooding concerns but timing of the system is critical thus will continue to monitor. We lose the effects of the trough early on Thu but there is no rest for the weary as there are indications of yet another trough that could bring strong storms back into our region as early as Friday into Friday Night but given the wide temporal range in the medium range, will just advertise low end chance pops for now. 13 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 75 57 76 56 / 100 30 0 0 MLU 75 56 74 54 / 100 60 0 0 DEQ 71 51 74 49 / 90 30 0 0 TXK 73 54 73 53 / 90 30 0 0 ELD 72 53 75 49 / 90 50 0 0 TYR 77 57 76 57 / 80 10 0 0 GGG 75 56 76 54 / 80 10 0 0 LFK 80 59 79 59 / 80 10 0 0 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && 19/13
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 354 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 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>167-201200- 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- 354 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 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...Today and Tonight... Another widespread severe weather outbreak is likely today through this evening across much of the Four State Region. Very large hail, destructive wind gusts and isolated tornadoes, some long tracked and significant, will be possible. The greatest tornado threat should be across Deep East Texas into all of Northern and Northeast Louisiana, late this morning through the afternoon hours. Another severe weather threat may materialize this evening into the early overnight hours near and north of the Interstate 20 Corridor of Northeast Texas and Northern Louisiana. The threat with this secondary severe weather possibility would be large hail and damaging wind gusts. While very heavy downpours will be possible today, flash flooding should stay confined to flood prone areas with widespread flooding not likely through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... Another round of severe weather will be possible late Wednesday through Wednesday Night across the Four State Region. While details are still far from certain at this time, this mid week system is concerning for a large portion of our region with an excessive heavy rainfall threat as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters will be necessary for today into this evening. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. 13
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1017 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020
LAZ017-TXZ167-191600-
Sabine LA-Sabine TX-
1017 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN SABINE PARISH IN
NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEASTERN SABINE COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 AM
CDT...
At 1017 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Mayflower, or 11 miles west of Toledo Bend Dam, moving
northeast at 50 mph. This storm will affect mainly rural areas of
Southeast Sabine County Texas and Southern Sabine Parish Louisiana.
Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Fairmount.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm 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.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 300 PM CDT for northwestern
Louisiana...and eastern Texas.
LAT...LON 3153 9324 3136 9324 3136 9339 3128 9344
3128 9353 3124 9356 3123 9354 3120 9355
3117 9358 3118 9363 3116 9391
TIME...MOT...LOC 1516Z 239DEG 42KT 3115 9375
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1023 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020
TXZ152-153-166-191615-
Nacogdoches TX-San Augustine TX-Shelby TX-
1023 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL NACOGDOCHES...
CENTRAL SHELBY AND NORTHWESTERN SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTIES UNTIL 1115 AM
CDT...
At 1023 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Melrose, or 11 miles east of Nacogdoches, moving northeast at 55 mph.
Penny to nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Nacogdoches, Center, Joaquin, Melrose, Shelbyville, Martinsville,
Neuville, Huxley, Arcadia, James, Jericho and Hurstown.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 300 PM CDT for northwestern
Louisiana...and eastern and northeastern Texas.
LAT...LON 3150 9452 3159 9462 3198 9407 3198 9404
3193 9398 3192 9397 3192 9396 3189 9392
3187 9389 3184 9387 3183 9388 3181 9387
3181 9386 3175 9383
TIME...MOT...LOC 1523Z 237DEG 47KT 3160 9446
15Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1027 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 LAZ001-010-TXZ138-150>153-191615- De Soto LA-Caddo LA-Panola TX-Harrison TX-Nacogdoches TX-Rusk TX- Shelby TX- 1027 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN DE SOTO AND SOUTHWESTERN CADDO PARISHES...SOUTHEASTERN HARRISON...PANOLA... SOUTHEASTERN RUSK...NORTHEASTERN NACOGDOCHES AND NORTHWESTERN SHELBY COUNTIES UNTIL 1115 AM CDT... At 1027 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southwest of Carthage, moving northeast at 55 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Shreveport, Carthage, Greenwood, Waskom, Stonewall, Tenaha, Timpson, Garrison, Beckville, Deberry, Elysian Fields, Pinehill, Gary City, Keachi, Longstreet, Keat Chie, Front, Spring Ridge, Stockman and Fairplay. 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. This storm 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. && A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 300 PM CDT for northwestern Louisiana...and eastern and northeastern Texas. LAT...LON 3171 9446 3217 9471 3261 9401 3220 9376 TIME...MOT...LOC 1527Z 240DEG 49KT 3205 9444 19
The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 139 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:44 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree was down blocking Highway 21 about 5 miles east of Alto.
Trees were blown down on FM 1648.
Ping pong ball size hail fell in the Lilbert community.
Trees were blown down on FM 225.
Nickel size hail fell along Highway 259 northwest of Appleby.
A tree was blown down onto County Road 1362.
A tree was blown down at the intersection of FM 2694 and FM 3471.
Trees were blown down on Highway 455.
Trees were blown down on County Road 452.
A picture was posted to social media of half dollar size hail that fell between Shelbyville and Huxley.
A tree was blown down near Pollok.
A tree was blown down near Broaddus.
A large tree was blown down across Highway 184 near Hemphill.
Dime to quarter size hail fell in Clarksville.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, April 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: 879912, 879913, 879914, 879940, 879916, 879915, 879919, 879924, 879921, 879936, 879927, 879930, 879933, 879931.