Warm, humid, and unstable conditions were in place across the Four State Region on May 9th, ahead of a cold front and attendant shortwave trough that traversed the Southern Plains during the afternoon. Large scale forcing ahead of the trough increased during the afternoon, with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing near and ahead of the front across Southwest Arkansas, North Louisiana,…
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 SHV wrote it up.
Warm, humid, and unstable conditions were in place across the Four State Region on May 9th, ahead of a cold front and attendant shortwave trough that traversed the Southern Plains during the afternoon. Large scale forcing ahead of the trough increased during the afternoon, with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing near and ahead of the front across Southwest Arkansas, North Louisiana, and East Texas. Moderate instability and adequate wind shear contributed to the development of strong to severe thunderstorms across the region, which produced damaging winds and large hail. Locally heavy rainfall also fell from these storms, which resulted in localized flash flooding in Union County. These storms exited Southwest Arkansas into North Louisiana during the late evening hours with the passage of the cold front.
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 9, 1:56 PM CST, 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 256 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021 .SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Monday Night/ Severe weather conditions wind down tonight, however, the main hazard will then evolve into a heavy rain threat, especially south of the I-20 corridor. With the frontal boundary slowing down as it approaches our southern zones, the potential for isolated flash flooding increases as it focuses moisture over Deep East Texas into Central Louisiana. That moisture includes well above average precipitable water values of at least 1.5 inches or more. What limits the magnitude of the flash flooding threat for tonight involves the eventual progression of the frontal boundary, which may prevent storms from training over the same areas. The WPC has a Day 1 slight risk for excessive rainfall of 2 to 3 inches (with isolated higher amounts possible) over most of the Ark-La-Tex with the latest update trending the risk area further south. While the flash flooding threat for tonight remains isolated, all rainfall from today reduces soil capacity for the additional rainfall arriving tomorrow and Tuesday, boosting the likelihood of Flash Flood Watch issuance after tonight. As the frontal boundary will linger over our area tonight, this bisection of air masses will produce a gradient of low temperatures ranging from the lower-50s north of the I-30 corridor to the upper-60s in Deep East Texas and Central Louisiana. This gradient of temperatures also continues into tomorrow with precipitation moderating the diurnal curve to a range of highs in the upper-60s to upper-70s. This second round of precipitation will develop along the frontal boundary, still lingering near the I-20 corridor on Monday afternoon, and continue through the night to keep temperatures mostly near average in the mid-50s to low- 60s. /16/ .LONG TERM.../Tuesday through Sunday/ By Tuesday morning, the cold front should have slipped S of the region into SE TX/S LA, although the cool post-frontal air mass will remain shallow, with periods of overrunning becoming enhanced by weak perturbations aloft that will begin to eject NE across Cntrl and E TX ahead of shortwave troughing that will shift E into the Cntrl Plains and dampen. H850 troughing is progged to be over portions of SE Ok/Nrn sections of SW AR to start the period, but should begin to lift back N away from the area in response to the increased overrunning, with weak shortwave perturbations in the WSW flow aloft yielding an increase in slightly elevated convection as it begins to spread ENE into much of the region. Given some uncertainties with regards to timing of the convection, have delayed categorical pops until the afternoon for much of the area, although overall intensity and amounts are still in question given the lack of a more significant LLJ and low level focusing mechanism. However, should rainfall rates be high enough especially over areas that could receive locally heavy rainfall this afternoon and evening from the deeper convection ahead of the approaching cold front, then localized flooding will be a possibility over those areas, especially as the rains continue into Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. A second shortwave trough translating ESE out of the Rockies and into the Plains Wednesday should amplify slightly enough such that a deep wedge of drier air will begin to advect SE through the region, thus diminishing the convection from NW to SE during the day. Post- frontal stratus will linger though, maintaining abnormally cool temps until a warming trend commences Thursday as cigs lift and begin to scatter out during the afternoon especially over portions of SW AR/N LA. Sfc ridging remains progged to nose into the region Thursday as well, as it shifts SE into the Mid-South region Friday, resulting in a comfortable return of cooler temps and lower RH's. Mild afternoon temps and lower RH's should persist to round out the new work week, before a warming trend commences Saturday as SSE low level winds return on the backside of the retreating sfc ridge as it enters the TN Valley/Gulf States. There is better model consensus today in regards to flat ridging aloft building over the Srn Plains next weekend, despite the presence of potential shortwave energy dropping SE atop the ridge over OK/AR Saturday. Low level moisture advection looks to remain too shallow to support even any isolated convection, and thus have removed pops Saturday across the Nrn and Wrn zones, although the moisture profile may be a bit deeper Sunday with the next potential shortwave (per the ECMWF) rounding atop the ridge along the Red River Valley. Thus, slight chance pops were retained for E TX/SE OK/adjacent SW AR, as temps return to more seasonal norms. 15 && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 128 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021/ UPDATE... As of 1:15 PM CDT, the frontal boundary has just entered our northernmost zones, and will gradually focus instability for discrete storm initiation as it shifts southward. In coordination with the SPC, Severe Thunderstorm Watch #157 has been issued for most of the Ark-La-Tex until 9PM CDT. /16/ PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1232 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021/ AVIATION... For the 09/18Z TAF update, the VCTS/TSRA has already begun across some western terminals and that trend will continue well through the end of the period, MVFR cigs/vis will trend to IFR as the frontal boundary slowly reaches our southern airspace by 10/10Z, and post-frontal SHRA will linger through 10/12Z, especially in eastern terminals. Winds will shift to northeasterly across most of the airspace by the end of the period. /16/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 62 70 58 68 / 70 50 70 90 MLU 61 69 58 69 / 90 50 50 80 DEQ 53 67 53 62 / 10 30 60 70 TXK 55 65 55 63 / 40 30 70 80 ELD 54 66 53 64 / 70 40 60 70 TYR 61 70 58 68 / 40 40 70 90 GGG 62 70 57 68 / 60 50 70 90 LFK 68 80 64 74 / 70 60 50 80 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && 16/15/16/16
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1202 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021 ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077- TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-101100- 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- 1202 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021 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 this afternoon across the region, near and ahead of a cold front that will enter Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas. The threat for severe weather will increase as well for much of the region, with damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado or two possible. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible in the stronger storms, which may lead to localized flash flooding. These storms should gradually diminish across East Texas and North Louisiana late this evening and overnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... As the cold front continues to shift south into Lower East Texas and North Louisiana south of the Interstate 20 corridor late tonight, it should stall Monday over portions of Deep East Texas and Central Louisiana, with overrunning atop the shallow front contributing to additional periods of showers and a few thunderstorms across the region through Wednesday. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible, especially Tuesday and Tuesday night, which may lead to localized flooding. Isolated strong storms also can not be ruled out, with hail and locally gusty winds possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters will be needed this afternoon and evening. 15
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
123 PM CDT SUN MAY 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1256 PM HAIL HODGE 32.28N 92.73W
05/09/2021 M1.00 INCH JACKSON LA PUBLIC
&&
25Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
124 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021
ARZ072-073-LAZ003-004-091915-
Union AR-Columbia AR-Claiborne LA-Webster LA-
124 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN UNION AND
SOUTHEASTERN COLUMBIA COUNTIES...NORTHWESTERN WEBSTER AND
NORTHWESTERN CLAIBORNE PARISHES UNTIL 215 PM CDT...
At 124 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sarepta, or 7 miles southeast of Springhill, moving east at 40 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Cullen, Cotton Valley, Sarepta,
Shongaloo, Atlanta, Evergreen, Lisbon, Hew Hope, Leton and Antioch.
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 Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
south central and southwestern Arkansas...and northwestern Louisiana.
LAT...LON 3276 9288 3281 9346 3283 9346 3285 9347
3286 9345 3287 9345 3287 9346 3289 9348
3291 9348 3290 9347 3292 9347 3293 9348
3299 9349 3311 9289
TIME...MOT...LOC 1824Z 266DEG 37KT 3291 9339
33PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
150 PM CDT SUN MAY 9 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1258 PM HAIL QUITMAN 32.35N 92.72W
05/09/2021 M1.00 INCH JACKSON LA BROADCAST MEDIA
&&
25Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
255 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021
ARZ050-051-060-092045-
Howard AR-Hempstead AR-Sevier AR-
255 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL HEMPSTEAD...
NORTHEASTERN SEVIER AND NORTHEASTERN HOWARD COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM
CDT...
At 254 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dierks, moving east at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Nashville, Dierks, Corinth, Center Point, Muddy Fork, Lebanon and
Burg.
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 Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas.
LAT...LON 3424 9392 3419 9392 3418 9382 3401 9382
3401 9377 3392 9375 3410 9414 3426 9410
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 285DEG 21KT 3416 9405
33Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
255 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021
ARZ061-092045-
Nevada AR-
255 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL NEVADA COUNTY UNTIL 345
PM CDT...
At 255 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Prescott, moving east at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Prescott, Bluff City, White Oak Lake State Park, Morris, Laneburg,
Boughton and Reader.
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 Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas.
LAT...LON 3384 9329 3384 9326 3383 9326 3383 9323
3382 9322 3382 9320 3380 9318 3382 9314
3379 9313 3378 9310 3366 9311 3367 9341
3385 9342 3387 9330
TIME...MOT...LOC 1955Z 265DEG 21KT 3377 9333
33Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Shreveport LA 330 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021 TXZ149-152-092115- Cherokee TX-Nacogdoches TX- 330 PM CDT Sun May 9 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN NACOGDOCHES AND SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT... At 329 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Alto, or 11 miles southeast of Rusk, moving east at 30 mph. Half inch to penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Nacogdoches, Alto, Morrill, Douglass, Trawick, Linwood, Lilbert and Looneyville. 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 Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for eastern and northeastern Texas. LAT...LON 3157 9511 3173 9513 3183 9463 3158 9462 TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 260DEG 25KT 3166 9504 15
The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 144 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:38 UTC.
3 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Pictures of half dollar size hail that fell just inside Howard County southwest of the Nathan community were posted to social media.
Quarter size hail fell in the Guernsey community west of Hope.
Quarter size hail fell in the Shover Springs community.
Trees were downed across much of Union County, including Highway 167, Highway 15, as well as Wesson Road.
Trees were downed throughout Columbia County.
Portions of the Oak Manor area west of El Dorado were flooded.
A temporary bridge on Highway 82 near Strong was damaged and was in danger of washing out.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, May 2021
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: 948466, 948467, 948470, 948482, 948474, 948478, 948490.