Damaging Winds in Arkansas, May 19, 2023

Name: Damaging Winds in Arkansas, May 19, 2023
Start: 2023-05-19T17:25
End: 2023-05-19T17:43
Location: Arkansas

May 19, 2023 · NWS TSA · 4 events in 1 county or zone

Strong to severe thunderstorms developed across portions of northwest Arkansas during the early evening of the 19th, as a cold front moved into the area. The strongest storms produced damaging wind gusts.

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

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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 TSA wrote it up.

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 Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 19, 1:33 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 19, 1:33 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
233 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight)
Issued at 233 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

The main forecast concern for this package is the near term severe
weather threat, largely focused across parts of far southeast
Oklahoma. Thunderstorm development is currently tied to an outflow
boundary from the morning thunderstorm complex stretched across
southeast Oklahoma. Local mesoanalysis indicates CAPE values in
excess of 2000 J/kg across much of southeast Oklahoma, with
instability continuing to climb through the afternoon. This
instability along with sufficient deep layer shear will continue
to support organized thunderstorms into the evening. Additional
development could also occur in advance of a strong cold front
currently entering areas north of I-44. This front will continue
to surge southward this afternoon and evening, with its passage
signaling the end of any severe threat. Showers may linger after
the frontal passage, however, even this should diminish from
northwest to southeast by daybreak.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through Friday)
Issued at 233 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

Surface high pressure will push into the area for the weekend on
the heels of tonight's cold frontal passage, leading to a
seasonably cool and dry couple of days that may extend into Monday
as well. A more active pattern will develop for the middle to
latter part of next week, with daily shower and thunderstorm
chances but limited severe weather potential. An expanding ridge
across the Southern and Central Plains in the lee of the Rockies
will place northwest flow across much of eastern Oklahoma and
western Arkansas. Initially, the showers and thunderstorms will be
focused across western parts of the forecast area, with a shift
eastward along with the ridge expansion toward the middle of week.
Things will refocus back westward late in the week as an upper
level storm system approaches the Northern and Central Plains
toward the next weekend. Temperatures for the latter part of next
week should reach above normal levels areawide.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1237 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

Mainly MVFR or IFR ceilings will prevail through this evening,
with winds shifting to the north as a cold front passes through
the area. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will remain
possible through early evening, with KMLC and KFSM seeing the
best chance of a thunderstorm. Ceilings will begin to improve to
VFR from north to south overnight, with all sites becoming VFR by
mid morning Saturday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TUL   52  73  50  77 /  30   0   0   0
FSM   61  77  57  80 /  80   0   0   0
MLC   56  74  52  77 /  80   0   0   0
BVO   46  72  43  78 /  30   0   0   0
FYV   53  73  48  78 /  80   0   0   0
BYV   53  71  49  76 /  90   0   0   0
MKO   54  72  51  76 /  60   0   0   0
MIO   50  71  48  76 /  60   0   0   0
F10   53  71  51  75 /  60   0   0   0
HHW   60  75  57  77 /  70   0   0  10

&&

.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...None.
AR...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...22
LONG TERM....22
AVIATION...05

Hazardous weather outlook, May 19, 4:13 PM CST, 1 hour 12 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
513 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-201000-
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-
513 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
	RISK...Elevated.
	AREA...Mainly Near and South of Interstate 40.
	ONSET...Ongoing.

SIGNIFICANT WINDS.
	RISK...Limited.
	AREA...Northeast Oklahoma.
	ONSET...Ongoing.

DISCUSSION...
A few severe thunderstorms will continue through early this
evening to the south of a cold front that is moving across the
area at this time. Large hail will be the biggest threat, with a
lesser threat of damaging winds. The severe weather threat will
end by shortly after sunset once the cold front exits the area.

Gusty north winds following the passage of the front will
gradually diminish overnight.

SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Activation of the Regional Spotter Network Likely.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.
SATURDAY...High Wind Potential.
SUNDAY...No Hazards.
MONDAY through THURSDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.

EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
Quiet weather is expected across the entire area through the
weekend. Chances of thunderstorms will return next week,
especially toward the middle part of the week.

weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 19, 3:49 PM CST, 1 hour 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
449 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

OKZ070-071-074-192215-
Haskell OK-Muskogee OK-McIntosh OK-
449 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central
Haskell, east central McIntosh and south central Muskogee Counties
through 515 PM CDT...

At 449 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 5 miles
south of Checotah, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Onapa...

This includes Interstate 40 in Oklahoma near mile marker 264.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3546 9554 3543 9525 3525 9532 3536 9560
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 289DEG 21KT 3539 9551

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 19, 4:11 PM CST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
511 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

OKZ072-074-076-192245-
Haskell OK-Sequoyah OK-Le Flore OK-
511 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central
Haskell, southeastern Sequoyah and north central Le Flore Counties
through 545 PM CDT...

At 511 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 3 miles
northwest of Keota, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Spiro...                          Panama...
Keota...                          Bokoshe...
Shady Point...                    Cowlington...
Kanima...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern and east central Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3525 9504 3536 9501 3537 9459 3510 9463
TIME...MOT...LOC 2211Z 277DEG 24KT 3528 9497

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 19, 4:15 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
515 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

OKZ070-071-074-192245-
Haskell OK-Muskogee OK-McIntosh OK-
515 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Haskell, east central McIntosh and southeastern Muskogee Counties
through 545 PM CDT...

At 515 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 6 miles
west of Porum, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Porum...                          Whitefield...
Briartown...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southeastern and east central Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3543 9541 3540 9511 3521 9520 3533 9549
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 289DEG 21KT 3536 9538

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 19, 4:37 PM CST, 48 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
537 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

OKZ076-192300-
Le Flore OK-
537 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Le
Flore County through 600 PM CDT...

At 537 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Poteau, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...                         Howe...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
west central Arkansas...and southeastern Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3492 9446 3496 9470 3508 9465 3505 9444
      3503 9444
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 283DEG 16KT 3501 9463

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 19, 5:07 PM CST, 18 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
607 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

ARZ029-OKZ076-192330-
Sebastian AR-Le Flore OK-
607 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Sebastian and east central Le Flore Counties through 630 PM CDT...

At 607 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 4 miles
east of Howe, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...                         Mansfield...
Hartford...                       Patterson...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
west central Arkansas...and southeastern Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3506 9425 3506 9423 3497 9424 3495 9429
      3496 9433 3495 9434 3496 9437 3494 9439
      3495 9441 3493 9443 3493 9444 3491 9445
      3490 9463 3502 9463 3508 9422
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 270DEG 22KT 3496 9455

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 19, 5:21 PM CST, 4 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
621 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

ARZ029-192345-
Sebastian AR-
621 PM CDT Fri May 19 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Sebastian
County through 645 PM CDT...

At 620 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Excelsior, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects.

Locations in or near the path include...
Fort Smith...                     Greenwood...
Hackett...                        Bonanza...
Bloomer...                        Excelsior...
Burnville...                      Jenny Lind...
Crossroads...                     Witcherville...
Dayton...                         Rye Hill...
Milltown...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
west central Arkansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3514 9412 3514 9414 3511 9414 3511 9444
      3529 9443 3530 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 272DEG 30KT 3520 9435

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 14 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:25 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sebastian

When: May 19, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Sebastian County, 2 mi S of Excelsior
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.171, -94.330

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sebastian

When: May 19, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Sebastian County, Dayton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.120, -94.230

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a couple trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sebastian

When: May 19, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Sebastian County, 2 mi SSW of Crossroads
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.093, -94.213

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto a road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sebastian

When: May 19, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Sebastian County, Crossroads
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.120, -94.200

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arkansas in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Arkansas, May 2023

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: 1093720, 1089516, 1093722, 1093723.