Severe thunderstorms developed during the evening hours of the 17th, near a stationary front that stretched across northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. The atmosphere had become moderately unstable across the area, and the wind shear became strong with the approach of an upper level disturbance.
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 TSA wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms developed during the evening hours of the 17th, near a stationary front that stretched across northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. The atmosphere had become moderately unstable across the area, and the wind shear became strong with the approach of an upper level disturbance. The storms moved northeast across portions of northwestern Arkansas during the late evening hours of the 17th and early morning hours of the 18th. The strongest storms produced damaging wind.
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 Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 17, 11:11 PM CST, 24 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tulsa OK 1211 AM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (The rest of tonight) Issued at 925 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 Bottom line up front...looks like a long and active night for much of the forecast area in terms of severe weather potential. Presently there are two zones of ongoing severe weather that will begin to impact parts of eastern OK within the next few hours. First, an expanding linear complex moving across northwest OK, with a history of 60-80 mph gusts. This will continue to move ESE toward northeast OK and given the thermodynamic environment in place, will sweep through northwest AR late tonight. Second, a cluster of somewhat more discrete convection moving int o south central OK, near region or upper diffluence. This should continue to organize over the next few hours into another complex which will move across southeast OK. Still some question remaining regarding the possible interaction of these two complexes, but recent trends seem to show that the southern one will outpace the northern one enough that both will offer potential for swaths of high-end damaging wind gusts and perhaps hail as well. There does remain potential for embedded low level rotation within these lines of storms as well, as the HRRR has been suggesting some interaction between the NE OK complex and a subtle low level boundary lifting north across eastern OK. These above mentioned storms will exit the CWA around 2-3 AM, but that might not be the end as a consistent signal remains that additional storms could develop late tonight across central/western OK and organize into another complex, which would move across SE OK around 10-12z. Forecast will be updated to raise POPs in the immediate term across far southeast OK, otherwise no substantial changes to the forecast or the overall messaging. && .LONG TERM... (Tomorrow through Saturday) Issued at 228 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 Storms will likely be ongoing Sunday morning, especially across far E OK and NW AR. Severe weather potential will be lower at that time. Most activity will be east of the area after 18z, but will keep lower PoPs between 18z-21z. Upper ridging begins to take shape over much of the central CONUS next week which will result in warmer temperatures. Developing low pressure systems across the PAC NW and SE results in the upper ridge becoming elongated with a more SW-NE orientation. Late in the week, weak upper level disturbances moving across the top of the compressed ridge may offer low chances for showers and storms during that time, but will largely keep a dry forecast beyond Sunday. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1211 AM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023 Pilots will have severe weather to contend with in the near term, then a period of MVFR cigs during the morning, then trending toward VFR by tomorrow afternoon. Major impacts to the Tulsa airports are possible within the next hour. Lacy && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... TUL 85 65 93 69 / 30 0 0 0 FSM 85 67 93 71 / 60 10 0 0 MLC 87 64 94 71 / 40 0 0 10 BVO 85 61 93 65 / 30 0 0 0 FYV 80 62 90 65 / 60 10 0 0 BYV 79 62 88 64 / 70 10 0 0 MKO 84 64 91 70 / 40 0 0 0 MIO 82 63 91 66 / 50 10 0 0 F10 84 64 91 70 / 30 0 0 0 HHW 87 66 92 72 / 40 0 0 10 && .TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...None. AR...None. && SHORT TERM...14 LONG TERM....23 AVIATION...30
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Tulsa OK 459 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-181015- Adair OK-Benton AR-Carroll AR-Cherokee OK-Choctaw OK-Craig OK- Crawford AR-Creek OK-Delaware OK-Franklin AR-Haskell OK-Latimer OK- Le Flore OK-Madison AR-Mayes OK-McIntosh OK-Muskogee OK-Nowata OK- Okfuskee OK-Okmulgee OK-Osage OK-Ottawa OK-Pawnee OK-Pittsburg OK- Pushmataha OK-Rogers OK-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-Tulsa OK-Wagoner OK- Washington OK-Washington AR- 459 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT... This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as much of Eastern Oklahoma. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. TORNADO. RISK...Limited. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma. ONSET...After 9 PM. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. RISK...Significant. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. ONSET...After 9 PM. FLASH FLOOD. RISK...Limited. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. ONSET...Late Evening. HEAVY RAIN. RISK...Limited. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. ONSET...Late Evening. DISCUSSION... Severe thunderstorms will become likely from late this evening into early Sunday morning across much of eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Significant impacts are possible, with damaging winds from 70 to 80 mph and large hail the main threats. Across areas west of Highway 75, very large hail to the size of tennis balls may also occur. A limited tornado threat will exist for parts of eastern Oklahoma, but tornadoes are not the main concern with storms tonight. Two regions for severe thunderstorm development are possible this evening and overnight, with the highest confidence for storms that initiate in western and central Oklahoma prior to moving eastward into the region. Far southeast Oklahoma is a secondary region for development, although confidence is lower. Thunderstorms in both areas would transition eastward into western Arkansas after midnight. SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of the Regional Spotter Network Expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. SUNDAY...Thunderstorm Potential. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...No Hazards. EXTENDED DISCUSSION... Strong to severe thunderstorms should be ongoing Sunday morning across parts of southeast Oklahoma and into western Arkansas, with the threat likely to end by midday Sunday. Damaging winds would be the primary severe weather threat Sunday morning. Largely dry conditions will arrive for the early to middle part of next week, along with seasonably hot and humid conditions. Heat indices will near triple digits during the early part of the work week. weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1040 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
OKZ049-073-180430-
Pittsburg OK-Pushmataha OK-
1040 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Pushmataha and south central Pittsburg Counties through 1130 PM
CDT...
At 1039 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 9 miles
southwest of Daisy, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Dunbar... Stanley...
Eubanks...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 200 AM CDT for
southeastern Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3450 9578 3451 9567 3459 9567 3460 9581
3476 9560 3465 9547 3450 9535 3430 9578
TIME...MOT...LOC 0339Z 233DEG 30KT 3442 9580
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
69Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1053 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
OKZ073-180445-
Pittsburg OK-
1053 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Pittsburg
County through 1145 PM CDT...
At 1053 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 4 miles
south of Ashland, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Mcalester... Hartshorne...
Krebs... Kiowa...
Savanna... Alderson...
Ashland... Haywood...
Mcalester Regional Airport... Blanco...
Haileyville... Pittsburg...
Arpelar... Dow...
Bache...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 200 AM CDT for
southeastern Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3467 9588 3468 9589 3468 9609 3486 9609
3508 9581 3486 9551 3482 9551 3459 9582
3460 9588
TIME...MOT...LOC 0353Z 233DEG 30KT 3471 9608
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
69Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1127 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
OKZ049-075-076-180515-
Latimer OK-Pushmataha OK-Le Flore OK-
1127 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern
Pushmataha, southeastern Latimer and Le Flore Counties through 1215
AM CDT...
At 1126 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from Talihina to 2 miles south of Octavia. Movement
was northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Poteau... Heavener...
Talihina... Wister...
Howe... Bokoshe...
Fanshawe... Albion...
Octavia... Talimena State Park...
Big Cedar... Lake Wister State Park...
Whitesboro... Muse...
Shady Point... Summerfield...
Heavener Runestone Park... Hodgen...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for
southeastern Oklahoma. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in
effect until 400 AM CDT for west central Arkansas...and southeastern
Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3469 9515 3524 9479 3498 9444 3452 9446
3450 9448 3451 9487
TIME...MOT...LOC 0426Z 220DEG 40KT 3477 9505 3450 9469
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
69Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1158 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1157 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Hugo 34.01N 95.51W
06/17/2023 M59 MPH Choctaw OK Mesonet
&&
CASPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1206 AM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1205 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 E Mannford 36.13N 96.30W
06/18/2023 E90 MPH Creek OK Trained Spotter
&&
CASPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1210 AM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1209 AM Tstm Wnd Gst Oilton 36.08N 96.58W
06/18/2023 M60 MPH Creek OK Mesonet
&&
CASThe Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 11 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:33 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted several trees, snapped numerous large tree limbs, and blew down power poles.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down power lines.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto a home.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a few trees.
Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed four poultry barns, uprooted numerous large trees, and blew down power poles.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several trees, and snapped numerous large tree limbs.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, June 2023
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: 1112641, 1112648, 1112644, 1112654, 1112662, 1112663, 1112668.