Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, May 3, 2021

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, May 3, 2021
Start: 2021-05-03T22:12
End: 2021-05-03T23:21
Location: Texas

May 3, 2021 · NWS OUN · 4 events in 2 counties and zones

Thunderstorms along a cold front moved into western north TX during the late evening of the 3rd into early on the 4th, producing a few severe wind reports and one sub-severe hail report.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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 OUN wrote it up.

Thunderstorms along a cold front moved into western north TX during the late evening of the 3rd into early on the 4th, producing a few severe wind reports and one sub-severe hail report.

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 Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 3, 5:28 PM CST, 4 hours 44 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 3, 5:28 PM CST, 4 hours 44 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
628 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Overnight)
Issued at 203 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

Storms are expected to develop quickly late this afternoon into this
evening along a cold front that will be located across portions of
southeast into south central Oklahoma. A favorable environment for
severe storms will exist ahead of the cold front across this area.
Initially as storms are expected to be more discrete, supercells
capable of producing very large hail and tornadoes will be possible
along with strong winds gusts.

This activity will become more linear, probably just as it exits our
southeast counties, winds will be an increasing threat.

Meanwhile, farther west as the main trough begins to shift east out
of the southern Rockies, additional storms will develop across west
Texas. These storms will be elevated as they form well north of the
surface cold front. However, sufficient instability will exist for
some large hail as these storms move into the western north Texas
counties. As we approach midnight, instability will be waining and
hail size is expected to decrease as storms move toward the I-35
corridor of southern Oklahoma. Other, weaker activity will also
impact much of western and northern Oklahoma overnight.

Otherwise, quite a bit colder air will filter south behind the cold
front. Temperatures are expected to fall into the 40s across
portions of northwest Oklahoma with gusty north winds, giving it a
bit of a bite. Lows in the 50s are expected elsewhere.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through next Sunday)
Issued at 203 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

System that will bring showers/storms tonight will exit the area
Tuesday morning. Some showers may linger in parts of the fa tomorrow
morning but should end by mid-day. Sfc high will also settle into
the area tomorrow with below average temperatures expected. As the
sfc high moves off to the east, winds will shift back towards the
south Wednesday.

Models then show a shortwave approaching from the northwest and
moving across the Plains Wednesday night. Models show an area of
showers/storms moving across parts of the fa with this shortwave
although disagree on how much and path of the area of rain.

Upper ridging will briefly occur behind the previously mentioned
shortwave before flattening out the end of this week with a
shortwave moving across the central/southern Plains Friday night
bringing another chance for showers/storms to parts of the area.
Various shortwaves/disturbances moving through the flow will
continue over the weekend which will maintain the chances for
showers and storms.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 625 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

MVFR cigs will return later tonight mainly after 06Z for most
terminals. Winds will remain northerly around 15 kt with some
stronger gusts before 09Z. A few showers and tsra are expected
mainly after 06Z near SPS, PNC, and SWO.

&&

.UPPER AIR...
Issued at 203 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

A 19Z May 3 Upper Air flight was done today. A 0Z flight currently
is not planned.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  52  63  44  70 /  40  40   0   0
Hobart OK         52  68  43  73 /  40  10   0   0
Wichita Falls TX  57  69  46  75 /  40  10   0   0
Gage OK           46  66  41  74 /  60  10   0  10
Ponca City OK     51  65  41  68 /  50  40   0  10
Durant OK         59  68  46  73 /  70  10   0   0

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...None.
TX...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...30
LONG TERM....25
AVIATION...03

Hazardous weather outlook, May 3, 7:49 PM CST, 2 hours 23 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Norman OK
849 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-050200-
Harper-Woods-Alfalfa-Grant-Kay-Ellis-Woodward-Major-Garfield-
Noble-Roger Mills-Dewey-Custer-Blaine-Kingfisher-Logan-Payne-
Beckham-Washita-Caddo-Canadian-Oklahoma-Lincoln-Grady-McClain-
Cleveland-Pottawatomie-Seminole-Hughes-Harmon-Greer-Kiowa-Jackson-
Tillman-Comanche-Stephens-Garvin-Murray-Pontotoc-Coal-Cotton-
Jefferson-Carter-Johnston-Atoka-Love-Marshall-Bryan-Hardeman-
Foard-Wilbarger-Wichita-Knox-Baylor-Archer-Clay-
849 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northern...
western...central...and southern Oklahoma...and western north
Texas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight...

.Thunderstorms...
There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms this evening
until midnight across portions of southern and eastern Oklahoma.
Brief tornadoes will remain possible until 10 PM, along with hail
up to the size of baseballs and thunderstorm wind gusts up to 70
mph. There's a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across portions
of central Oklahoma and also western north Texas. Hail up to the
size of golf balls and wind gusts up to 60 mph will be possible
across these areas thru midnight.

.SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STATEMENT...

Storm spotter groups and emergency management personnel across
southern and eastern Oklahoma and north Texas should prepare for
severe weather operations after 5 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday...

.Thunderstorms...
Overnight thunderstorms may linger into Tuesday morning across
north central, portions of central into eastern Oklahoma,
although severe weather is not expected.

Thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday night with no severe
weather expected. Thunderstorm chances return again Friday evening
and continue through Sunday, although storms are not expected to
be widespread.

Get graphics and more details at weather.gov/norman...and follow
our weather forecast office on Twitter and Facebook.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 3, 8:44 PM CST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
944 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

OKZ031-032-040315-
Hughes OK-Seminole OK-
944 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR northwestern Hughes and
southeastern Seminole Counties Until 1015 PM CDT...

AT 942 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 5 miles south of
Wewoka, moving northeast at 30 MPH.

HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...

Locations impacted include...
Holdenville, Wewoka, Yeager and Spaulding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 3498 9652 3506 9656 3528 9632 3512 9624
TIME...MOT...LOC 0242Z 222DEG 26KT 3507 9649

Mahale

Special weather statement, May 3, 9:05 PM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
1005 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

TXZ083-040345-
Hardeman TX-
1005 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR northwestern Hardeman County
Until 1045 PM CDT...

AT 1002 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest
of Goodlett, moving east at 25 MPH.

HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts over 50 MPH...
Heavy rain can lead to reduced visibility...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning...

Locations impacted include...
Quanah, Goodlett and Lazare.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 3440 10000 3449 9982 3445 9979 3425 9966
      3421 9998 3422 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 0302Z 253DEG 21KT 3428 10001

03

Local storm report, May 3, 9:08 PM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1008 PM CDT MON MAY 3 2021

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

0715 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE ATOKA RESERVOIR    34.53N 96.04W
05/03/2021                   ATOKA              OK   BROADCAST MEDIA

            DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE ROOFS (INCLUDING ONE ROOF
            REMOVED) AND FENCES.

&&

MAD

Local storm report, May 3, 9:45 PM CST, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1045 PM CDT MON MAY 3 2021

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

1035 PM     HAIL             AGRA                    35.90N 96.87W
05/03/2021  E1.00 INCH       LINCOLN            OK   EMERGENCY MNGR

1013 PM     HAIL             4 NW CHANDLER           35.74N 96.93W
05/03/2021  U1.50 INCH       LINCOLN            OK   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM MPING: PING PONG BALL (1.50
            IN.).

&&

Special weather statement, May 3, 10:04 PM CST, 8 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
1104 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

OKZ037-TXZ085-040430-
Tillman OK-Wilbarger TX-
1104 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR southwestern Tillman and central
Wilbarger Counties Until 1130 PM CDT...

AT 1059 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles southeast
of Vernon, moving east at 30 MPH.

HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to one-half inch diameter...
Wind gusts over 50 MPH...
Heavy rain can lead to reduced visibility...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning...

Locations impacted include...
Vernon, Davidson, Oklaunion, Lockett and Harrold.

LAT...LON 3429 9896 3400 9895 3402 9940 3421 9944
TIME...MOT...LOC 0359Z 263DEG 27KT 3410 9925

03

Local storm report, May 3, 10:05 PM CST, 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1105 PM CDT MON MAY 3 2021

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

0715 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE ATOKA RESERVOIR    34.53N 96.04W
05/03/2021                   ATOKA              OK   BROADCAST MEDIA

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3
            NE ATOKA RESERVOIR. DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE ROOFS
            (INCLUDING ONE ROOF REMOVED) AND FENCES.
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

MAD

The radar

The Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 39 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:13 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilbarger

When: May 3, 10:12 PM CST
Where: Wilbarger County, 1.14 mi W of Vernon
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.150, -99.310

Small limbs snapped off of trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wichita

When: May 3, 11:15 PM CST
Where: Wichita County, 0.9 mi SW of (Sps)sheppard Afb
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 33.980, -98.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Wichita

When: May 3, 11:16 PM CST
Where: Wichita County, 0.69 mi S of Burkburnett
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.080, -98.560

Hail, Wichita

When: May 3, 11:21 PM CST
Where: Wichita County, 0.9 mi SW of (Sps)sheppard Afb
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.980, -98.500

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, May 2021

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: 960902, 960907, 961028, 961030.