A slow-moving upper level disturbance, with the help of a dry line and a southward-pushing outflow boundary, produced multiple rounds of showers and storms Friday and Saturday. Damaging wind gusts and localized flash flooding were the main results, though two brief tornadoes also occurred.
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 FWD wrote it up.
A slow-moving upper level disturbance, with the help of a dry line and a southward-pushing outflow boundary, produced multiple rounds of showers and storms Friday and Saturday. Damaging wind gusts and localized flash flooding were the main results, though two brief tornadoes also occurred.
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 15, 6:38 PM CST, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 738 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020 .SHORT TERM... /NEW/ /Tonight through Saturday/ A period of active weather is expected through Saturday including severe thunderstorms later this evening across parts of the area. There are two main areas of ongoing convection this evening. The first is across southern Oklahoma, which developed along a front/outflow boundary, and the second is a large area of convection across West Texas which initiated off of the dryline. This is being aided by ascent from a mid level shortwave passing through the state. Across North Texas, we've become strongly unstable with temperatures in the mid 80s and dewpoints in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Persistent capping has kept a lid on storms in our area, but as storms to the west impinge on the stronger instability, they should continue eastward with an erosion of capping expected. Farther east, additional showers/storms have developed along a southward moving outflow boundary which is pushing into the Metroplex at this hour. These storms are in a weaker sheared environment and have generally been outrun by outflow. Nonetheless, 35 to 45 mph winds have been common on the leading edge of the outflow and beneath these storms. For the remainder of this evening, expect a general uptick in convective activity as storm cell mergers across northwest Texas and southwest Oklahoma eventually lead to a southward propagating MCS which should begin to impact our northwest counties in the 8-10 pm timeframe. High resolution ensemble CAM guidance suggests fairly high probabilities that a swath of severe winds associated with this MCS will spread into Jack/Young counties by 10 pm and will gradually spread south and east with time. A more robust severe weather event would be expected in our area if mid level flow were stronger, but the 00Z FWD sounding indicates exceptionally weak winds between 3-6 km, suggesting that the complex of storms should move toward higher surface based instability through the late evening hours. As this instability diminishes, we should see a rapid weakening trend in the convection. That being said, we still expected a severe weather threat mainly along and west of I-35 through midnight. Damaging winds and some hail will be the main threats. In addition, there will be some potential for very heavy rainfall late this evening across our northwest counties. The same ensemble trends for severe weather are in place for heavy rainfall, with high probabilities for > 3" of rain across parts of our northwest counties (Young/Jack/Montague) through midnight. We'll monitor this area for a localized flash flood threat. Once this initial activity dies down overnight, the lingering upper trough will be slow to exit the region on Saturday. A persistent area of lift will be positioned across Central and North Texas and we'll likely contend with continuing showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms. The severe weather threat will be low, but there will be some potential for heavy rainfall. Dunn && .LONG TERM... /Issued 252 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020/ /Saturday night onward/ A few showers and thunderstorms will be ongoing Saturday night, mainly across our eastern counties. This will be what is left from the Friday night/Saturday convective episode (see short-term discussion). The severe weather threat will likely be winding down by this time, but some heavy rain may still be ongoing. By Sunday, showers and thunderstorms should start to come to an end. This will occur as the upper-level shortwave trough begins to depart our region to the east, with upper-level ridging building in behind it. The rest of the week looks to be rather quiet. Upper-level ridging will continue to build through the week. Despite this ridging, the 500 mb height anomalies do not look particularly large, so we will probably see temperatures generally near normal for mid to late May. That is to say, afternoon highs in the mid to upper 80s and overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s. A few upper-level shortwave troughs will make their way into the central CONUS, but the highly-amplified ridge over the south-central CONUS should push these well to our north, keeping rain chances low all week. By the end of the week, this ridge may start to break down, allowing for a more active pattern to return next weekend or early the following week (i.e. around or after Memorial Day). Godwin && .AVIATION... /NEW/ /00Z TAFs/ VFR prevails across the region this evening, although areas of convection will increase through the late evening hours. One area just northeast of the Metroplex will continue to spread south toward the airports. We'll have a VCTS in for this activity with a TEMPO for northeast winds and TSRA through midnight. Additional activity will spread into the region late tonight from the west with prevailing TSRA from 5-9Z expected. A gradual diminishing in intensity is expected overnight tonight. MVFR cigs will accompany overnight convection and will likely persist into the day Saturday. Additional showers and storms are expected to develop near an upper trough across the region Saturday morning. On and off showers and perhaps a few storms will prevail through afternoon before moving off to the east. Improvements in ceilings are expected by Saturday evening. Dunn && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Dallas-Ft. Worth 67 76 67 84 63 / 80 70 30 10 5 Waco 67 78 66 84 63 / 100 60 30 20 5 Paris 68 76 66 79 60 / 40 70 70 30 5 Denton 67 74 66 84 61 / 80 60 30 10 0 McKinney 69 75 66 82 61 / 60 70 40 20 0 Dallas 68 77 67 84 64 / 70 70 40 20 5 Terrell 69 75 66 81 61 / 50 70 50 20 5 Corsicana 68 76 67 81 63 / 60 80 50 20 5 Temple 67 80 66 83 63 / 100 50 20 20 5 Mineral Wells 66 76 64 84 60 / 100 50 20 10 5 && .FWD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && 91
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 740 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020 TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-170045- 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- 740 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for North and Central Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms will increase in coverage through late tonight with areas along and west of I-35 having the greatest chance for severe storms. Damaging winds and hail will be the main threats with any storms. There will also be a threat for flash flooding mainly west and northwest of the Metroplex tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms will continue into the day on Saturday and Sunday. Widespread severe weather is unlikely, but a heavy rain threat may result in a minor flood threat east of I-35. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation may be requested through tonight across North and Central Texas.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
659 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
TXZ102>104-117>121-160100-
Kaufman TX-Parker TX-Collin TX-Rockwall TX-Denton TX-Tarrant TX-
Dallas TX-Wise TX-
659 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ROCKWALL...KAUFMAN...WISE...
DENTON...NORTHEASTERN PARKER...TARRANT...SOUTHERN COLLIN AND DALLAS
COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT...
At 657 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong winds associated
with an outflow boundary along a line extending from Alvord to
Quinlan. Movement was south at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible as the boundary moves
through the area.
Locations impacted include...
Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie,
Mesquite, McKinney, Carrollton, Frisco, Denton, Richardson,
Lewisville, Allen, Flower Mound, Mansfield, Rowlett, Euless and
Desoto.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
north central Texas.
LAT...LON 3343 9739 3339 9738 3305 9630 3284 9630
3284 9608 3236 9608 3236 9645 3239 9644
3255 9652 3255 9698 3285 9792 3343 9792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 021DEG 29KT 3338 9768 3291 9616
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
728 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
TXZ104-105-120-160100-
Hunt TX-Collin TX-Rockwall TX-
728 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ROCKWALL...SOUTHWESTERN HUNT AND
SOUTHEASTERN COLLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT...
At 728 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Fate, or 8 miles north of Terrell, moving
northwest at 15 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Rowlett, Wylie, Rockwall, Royse City, Heath, Fate, Mobile City,
Lavon, McLendon-Chisholm, Nevada and Josephine.
LAT...LON 3284 9618 3284 9629 3282 9630 3281 9652
3307 9652 3305 9630 3289 9614
TIME...MOT...LOC 0028Z 121DEG 12KT 3286 9627
30Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 746 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020 TXZ103-160115- Denton TX- 746 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL DENTON COUNTY UNTIL 815 PM CDT... At 746 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Corinth, moving north at 20 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Coppell, The Colony, Southlake, Corinth, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Lake Lewisville, Little Elm, Krum, Argyle, Hickory Creek, Double Oak, Shady Shores, Aubrey, Krugerville, Cross Roads and Bartonville. LAT...LON 3299 9696 3299 9714 3332 9727 3331 9692 TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 176DEG 19KT 3316 9707 30
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
755 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
TXZ101-102-116>119-121-131-133-134-160200-
Ellis TX-Kaufman TX-Hood TX-Palo Pinto TX-Parker TX-Tarrant TX-
Johnson TX-Dallas TX-Wise TX-Jack TX-
755 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN KAUFMAN...JOHNSON...
SOUTHWESTERN WISE...SOUTHERN JACK...PARKER...TARRANT...ELLIS...PALO
PINTO...SOUTHERN DALLAS AND NORTHERN HOOD COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM
CDT...
At 753 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong winds associated
with an outflow boundary thunderstorms along a line extending from
near Jacksboro to near Kaufman. Movement was southwest at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this boundary.
Locations impacted include...
Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mansfield,
Euless, Desoto, Bedford, Cedar Hill, Haltom City, Keller,
Duncanville, Hurst, Burleson, Lancaster, Waxahachie, Cleburne,
Weatherford and Balch Springs.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
north central Texas.
LAT...LON 3295 9858 3295 9843 3306 9842 3322 9813
3252 9607 3236 9638 3236 9645 3233 9642
3210 9686 3215 9701 3226 9709 3223 9724
3269 9858
TIME...MOT...LOC 0053Z 052DEG 32KT 3316 9811 3256 9640
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
840 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
TXZ129-160230-
Eastland TX-
840 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTLAND COUNTY UNTIL 930 PM
CDT...
At 838 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong winds associated
with an outflow boundary along a line extending from near Gunsight
to near Cross Cut. Movement was east at 50 mph.
Gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with these outflow winds.
Locations impacted include...
Eastland, Cisco, Ranger, Gorman, Rising Star and Carbon.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
north central Texas.
LAT...LON 3251 9911 3251 9847 3230 9848 3208 9893
3208 9912
TIME...MOT...LOC 0138Z 246DEG 45KT 3250 9893 3205 9918
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
857 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
TXZ117-131>134-144>146-160300-
Ellis TX-Hood TX-Bosque TX-Parker TX-Hill TX-Johnson TX-Navarro TX-
Somervell TX-
857 PM CDT Fri May 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOMERVELL...JOHNSON...NORTHERN
BOSQUE...SOUTHERN PARKER...HILL...SOUTHERN ELLIS...HOOD AND NAVARRO
COUNTIES UNTIL 1000 PM CDT...
At 855 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong winds associated
with an outflow boundary along a line extending from near Possum
Kingdom State Park to near Corsicana. Movement was southwest at 30
mph.
Gusts in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these outflow winds.
Locations impacted include...
Burleson, Cleburne, Corsicana, Hillsboro, Granbury, Keene, Joshua,
Alvarado, Pecan Plantation, Glen Rose, Whitney, Italy, Itasca,
Kerens, Grandview, Hubbard, Godley, Maypearl, Trinidad and Blooming
Grove.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
north central Texas.
LAT...LON 3180 9650 3181 9672 3171 9693 3186 9704
3180 9717 3208 9788 3249 9806 3274 9806
3256 9752 3241 9721 3224 9656 3233 9638
3220 9619 3221 9615 3218 9618 3215 9610
3210 9612 3201 9605
TIME...MOT...LOC 0155Z 035DEG 26KT 3291 9847 3214 9649
30The Dyess AFB radar (KDYX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:10 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A wind gust of 60 MPH was reported by the Automated Weather Observation System at Graham Airport.
A wind gust of 64 MPH was reported by the Granbury, TX Automated Weather Observation System.
A public report indicated large tree branches blown down in the city of Granbury, TX.
A wind gust of 62 MPH was reported by the Cleburne, TX Automated Weather Observation System.
A NWS employee reported flash flooding along White's Branch in the Heritage area of north Fort Worth, TX.
This tornado developed on the west side of Malakoff, south of Highway 31, in a residential area west of the post office. A number of trees were blown onto homes and cars, causing minor roof and vehicular damage. Farther west, the tornado impacted a nursing home, causing significant roof damage. The tornado then crossed Highway 31, completely destroying a propane supply business building, and causing significant large tree damage. The degree of damage to this metal building was consistent with EF-1 tornado winds, peaking at approximately 100 mph. Immediately to the west of the propane building, the tornado produced modest roof damage to a hotel on the north side of Highway 31 before dissipating. The total length of the tornado was 1.03 miles and the maximum winds were 100 mph.
A social media report indicated that the intersection of Lawson Road and Blue Mound Road was impassable due to flash flooding.
This tornado continued into Kaufman County. A little more than an hour after the Malakoff tornado occurred, a second tornado developed over extreme southwest Van Zandt County, approximately 3 miles northeast of Mabank. This tornado touched down along VZ County Road 2718 just east of the intersection with VZ County Road 2719. The tornado moved almost due west along VZ CR 2718, producing intermittent tree and power line damage, as well as roof damage to several manufactured homes, site built homes, and a couple of farm outbuildings. The tornado continued westward, moving into extreme southeast Kaufman County and producing additional intermittent tree and outbuilding damage. The tornado dissipated near the intersection of Kaufman County Road 4007 and Farm to Market Road 90. The total length of the tornado was 2.19 miles and the maximum winds were 85 mph.
This tornado is a continuation from Van Zandt County. A little more than an hour after the Malakoff tornado occurred, a second tornado developed over extreme southwest Van Zandt County, approximately 3 miles northeast of Mabank. This tornado touched down along VZ County Road 2718 just east of the intersection with VZ County Road 2719. The tornado moved almost due west along VZ CR 2718, producing intermittent tree and power line damage, as well as roof damage to several manufactured homes, site built homes, and a couple of farm outbuildings. The tornado continued westward, moving into extreme southeast Kaufman County and producing additional intermittent tree and outbuilding damage. The tornado dissipated near the intersection of Kaufman County Road 4007 and Farm to Market Road 90. The total length of the tornado was 2.19 miles and the maximum winds were 85 mph.
Emergency management reported that several Rains County roads were under water, and that one had to be closed due to a wash-out.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2020Warnings in Texas, 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: 896799, 896800, 896798, 896801, 896803, 892551, 896804, 892552, 896687, 896805.