Texas, 2020

Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, May 27, 2020

May 27, 2020 · NWS HGX · 31 events in 8 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms developed and produce wind damage, hail and few tornadoes.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$174,000
Crop damage
$11,000
Events
31

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS HGX wrote it up.

Severe thunderstorms developed and produce wind damage, hail and few tornadoes.

What forecasters said that day

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 Houston/Galveston, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 27, 12:32 PM CST, 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 27, 12:32 PM CST, 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
132 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020

.AVIATION...

Periods of SHRA/TSRA expected this afternoon and evening. Strong
to severe thunderstorms are possible along areas N of I-10 with
the highest probabilities of them developing over the NW quadrant
of the CWA. Hazards with these storms will be hail, strong
winds/downbursts, and lightning. Periods of IFR to MVFR vis/cigs
are also possible with +RA. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in
effect through 9 PM CDT today for most of the CWA. Conditions
improve overnight and winds will be light and VRB. Another round
of Iso to SCT SHRA/TSRA expected Thursday. 24

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1142 AM CDT Wed May 27 2020/

UPDATE...

Minor adjustments to the T, PoPs, and Wx were made to the
inherited forecast for Today. Showers and thunderstorms continue
to be expected this afternoon and evening, with strong to severe
thunderstorms potentially developing over the NW quadrant of the
CWA. SPC continues the Enhanced Risk for Severe Thunderstorms
along the Colorado, Austin, Washington, Burleson, Brazos, and
Waller counties and a Slight Risk for most of the rest of SE
Texas. The most likely hazards with these storms are expected to
be hail and damaging winds; there is a low probability of tornado
(5%) development across the NW counties. 24

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL)      65  86  66  88  67 /  80  40  10  10   0
Houston (IAH)              69  89  69  90  70 /  40  50  10  10  10
Galveston (GLS)            76  85  75  88  76 /  20  40  20  20  10

&&

.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...NONE.
GM...NONE.
&&

Aviation...24

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 27, 9:56 AM CST, 3 hours 11 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
1056 AM CDT WED MAY 27 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     HAIL             4 SSE TRINITY           30.90N 95.34W
05/26/2020  M1.75 INCH       TRINITY            TX   PUBLIC

&&
Local storm report, May 27, 10:45 AM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
1145 AM CDT WED MAY 27 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1014 PM     WATER SPOUT      21 ENE GALVESTON        29.36N 94.58W
05/26/2020                   GMZ355             TX   PUBLIC

            WATER SPOUT TO THE EAST OF THE BOLIVAR FERRY
            LANDING LASTED ABOUT FOUR MINUTES.

&&

The radar

The Ft Hood radar (KGRK), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:08 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

17 thunderstorm wind, 10 hail, 3 tornado, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:07 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 6.22 mi N of Smetana
Measured
0.7 in hail
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.740, -96.450

Dime sized hail was reported near Benchley.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:15 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 1.5 mi NNW of College Station
Measured
0.7 in hail
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.620, -96.340

Marble to dime sized hail was reported.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:30 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, Bryan
Measured
1 in hail
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
30.670, -96.370

Quarter sized hail was reported in Bryan.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:39 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 2.39 mi NNW of College Station
Measured
1.5 in hail
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
30.630, -96.350

There was ping pong sized hail.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:40 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 0.69 mi N of Bryan
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.680, -96.370

Golf ball sized hail was reported in the Bryan area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:41 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 0.91 mi NE of (Cll)easterwd Fld Co
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
30.590, -96.360

The wind gust was observed at KCLL.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 1:45 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 1.78 mi E of Bryan
Measured
1 in hail
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.670, -96.340

Quarter sized hail was reported near the intersection of William Joel Bryan Parkway and Highway 6.

Hail, Burleson

When
May 27, 1:53 PM CST
Where
Burleson County, 0.69 mi N of Snook
Measured
1 in hail
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.490, -96.470

Quarter sized hail was reported by law enforcement.

Funnel Cloud, Galveston

When
May 27, 1:59 PM CST
Where
Galveston County, 2.83 mi NNE of Alta Loma
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.410, -95.070

A funnel cloud was sighted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
May 27, 2:08 PM CST to 2:09 PM CST
Where
Washington County, 1.68 mi SSW of Washington
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.307, -96.179

Numerous trees down just SW of Washington and in many other parts of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
May 27, 2:10 PM CST to 2:11 PM CST
Where
Washington County, 3.12 mi S of Washington
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.285, -96.163

Numerous trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
May 27, 2:12 PM CST to 2:15 PM CST
Where
Washington County, 6.3 mi SSE of Washington
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.243, -96.139

Numerous large trees down, uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
May 27, 2:16 PM CST to 2:17 PM CST
Where
Washington County, 4.96 mi SE of Washington
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.281, -96.109

Numerous trees down. Barn and shed destroyed.

Tornado, Waller

When
May 27, 2:21 PM CST to 2:23 PM CST
Where
Waller County, 2.74 mi N of Howth to 2.37 mi N of Howth
Rating
EF1
Path length
0.8 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.209, -96.084

There was some short path damage in the Waters Road area. There were numerous large trees uprooted and laid down in different directions ranging from due south to due east. Estimated peak winds were 90 mph.

Tornado, Waller

When
May 27, 2:23 PM CST to 2:25 PM CST
Where
Waller County, 2.94 mi NNE of Howth to 3.22 mi NE of Howth
Rating
EF1
Path length
1.45 mi
Path width
75 yd
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.207, -96.056

This tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 mph had a well defined damage path. Numerous trees were uprooted with some trunks snapped. A roof was taken off a barn. There was other straight line wind damage in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
May 27, 3:07 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, 1.38 mi S of The Woodlands
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
30.130, -95.450

Some trees were bent and downed in The Woodlands area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
May 27, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Harris County, Jersey Village
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
29.880, -95.570

The wind gust was estimated in the Jersey Village area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Waller

When
May 27, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Waller County, 2.27 mi SE of Brookshire
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.800, -95.900

The wind gust was measured at the Houston Executive Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
May 27, 3:20 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, 2.39 mi SSE of Oak Ridge North
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage
$5,000
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
30.120, -95.410

Trees were downed in the Spring area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
May 27, 3:21 PM CST
Where
Harris County, 0.91 mi NE of (Iah)houston Intl Ar
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.990, -95.340

The wind gust was measured at KIAH.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fort Bend

When
May 27, 3:25 PM CST
Where
Fort Bend County, 1.83 mi SW of Katy
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.780, -95.820

Power lines were downed in the Katy area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
May 27, 3:36 PM CST
Where
Harris County, 1.83 mi SW of Englewood
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage
$2,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
29.760, -95.370

Wind gust near Downtown Houston downed some trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
May 27, 3:41 PM CST
Where
Harris County, 2.77 mi WNW of Lynchburg
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.800, -95.110

Some trees were downed in the Channelview area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
May 27, 3:46 PM CST
Where
Harris County, 1.83 mi SW of Englewood
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
29.760, -95.370

The wind gust was near Downtown Houston.

Tornado, Harris

When
May 27, 3:50 PM CST to 3:53 PM CST
Where
Harris County, 0.88 mi ENE of Pasadena to 1.59 mi NNE of Golden Acres
Rating
EF0
Path length
1.75 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.705, -95.187

Damage along short NW to SE track parallel to Red Bluff Road. Eyewitness saw tornado. Numerous trees down. Damage to fences, carports.

Thunderstorm Wind, Galveston

When
May 27, 4:25 PM CST
Where
Galveston County, 0.92 mi SE of Texas City
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$11,000
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
29.390, -94.890

There was some roof damage to a Texas City business.

Thunderstorm Wind, Galveston

When
May 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Galveston County, 0.69 mi N of Texas City
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$6,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
29.410, -94.900

Large tree limbs and some fencing were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Galveston

When
May 27, 4:42 PM CST
Where
Galveston County, 0.92 mi SW of (Gls)scholes Fld Gal
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.260, -94.860

The wind gust was measured at KGLS.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 5:47 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, Bryan
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.670, -96.370

Golf ball sized hail was reported in the Bryan area.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 5:54 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 2.48 mi ESE of Bryan
Measured
1 in hail
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
30.660, -96.330

Quarter sized hail was reported in the Bryan area.

Hail, Brazos

When
May 27, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Brazos County, 2.16 mi NNW of Harvey
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.680, -96.290

Quarter sized hail was reported in the Copperfield area to the east of Bryan.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Funnel Cloud
A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2020Warnings in Texas, May 2020

Sources

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: 894413, 894412, 894414, 894415, 894416, 894417, 894418, 894419, 894420, 897945, 897947, 897949, 897948, 894410, 894411, 894421, 894422, 894424, 894425, 894426, 894427, 894437, 894440, 894428, 897944, 894429, 894430, 894431, 894432, 894433, 894434.