A weak mesoscale convective vortex (MCV), leftover from showers and thunderstorms that developed during the afternoon and evening across North Texas on May 7th, drifted east into Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana during the late morning and afternoon hours on May 8th. This disturbance interacted with a moist and moderately unstable air mass in place during the period…
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.
A weak mesoscale convective vortex (MCV), leftover from showers and thunderstorms that developed during the afternoon and evening across North Texas on May 7th, drifted east into Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana during the late morning and afternoon hours on May 8th. This disturbance interacted with a moist and moderately unstable air mass in place during the period of peak heating and generated adequate forcing for the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms across the region. Some of these storms became severe across extreme Southeast Oklahoma, East Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana, producing large hail and damaging winds before weakening during the evening with the loss of heating and reduced instability.
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 8, 1:56 PM CST, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 256 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Tuesday Night) Issued at 218 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023 The latest mid-level analysis indicates a fairly zonal flow in place over the region with a ripple in the 500mb flow co-located with a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) that is moving over the ArkLaTex. At the surface, a low is located near Kansas City, MO with a cold front extending southwest of this feature into Oklahoma and North Texas. Well ahead of this feature, the area is still in a southerly low- level flow. The latest mesoscale analysis indicates a precipitable water (PWAT) values in the 1.6-1.7" range with SBCAPE of approximately 3500-4500 J/kg with a max over northeast Texas to southwestern Arkansas. Shear is trending a little stronger, almost moderate in strength at 25-30kts bulk. Scattered showers and thunderstorms have begun to develop in East Texas and Deep East Texas with an immediate threat for storms to become strong with gusty winds and hail and possibly severe. Given PWAT values, locally heavy downpours are possible with localized flash flooding not out of the question. Into the evening, the MCV will shift eastward and be the forcing mechanism that continues to scattered showers and thunderstorms with an isolated severe threat into the evening hours. 12Z SPC HREF members are picking up on developing convection across the ArkLaTex and surrounding areas. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) indicates there is a Marginal Risk in its Excessive Rainfall Outlook (ERO) over northern Louisiana and extreme East Texas. Taking the aforementioned mesoscale analysis into consideration, the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted our County Warning Area (CWA) in a Marginal Risk with 5% probability of damaging wind and hail. Rainfall amounts today will be generally a half inch to an inch with localized amounts of 2-3" possible where thunderstorms persist. Tonight, mid-level vort energy and associated MCV will shift east of the ArkLaMiss with showers and thunderstorms diminishing with the loss of heating and decreasing instability. Hi-res models support showers and thunderstorms diminishing completely across the area by midnight tonight with cloud coverage beginning to break and become more partly cloudy by the pre-dawn hours. Tuesday into Tuesday night, the ArkLaTex will find itself sandwiched in between mid-level vort energy with a disturbance pushing into Deep East Texas and a frontal boundary dropping southward across Arkansas. With more moderate instability and forcing features north and south of the area, believe that shower and thunderstorms coverage will be more limited and isolated during the day, but continue overnight as the forcing encroaches on the area despite decreasing instability. Once again an isolated severe threat will be in play. Thus, the forecast has a chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day Tuesday and continuing to decrease to a slight by the pre- dawn hours on Wednesday. Temperatures remain fairly close to the NBM in the forecast with lows each night mostly in the upper 60s and highs on Tuesday in the mid to upper 80s. /04-Woodrum/ && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through next Sunday) Issued at 218 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023 An active weather pattern continues through the weekend as a series of disturbances undercut upper ridging to our south and east. This ridging aloft will intensify over the southeast US with the ridge axis building westward across the Mississippi River into parts of the Great Plains by the end of the week. Medium- range guidance suggests that a mid-level trough axis will propagate northeastward in the southwesterly flow along the periphery of troughing over the Intermountain West, instigating chances of rain through most of the rest of Wednesday and into early Thursday. Wet weather continues into Friday and through the weekend as the next trough quickly traverses the Baja California peninsula into Texas, with its ejection/propagation across Texas boosting chances of precipitation each day. Long-range guidance then suggests that the persistent ridge over the Gulf of Mexico finally breaks down, leaving zonal flow aloft across the area. Temperature maximums and minimums will generally remain above average through the weekend, staying near 90 and 70 degrees respectively. Prolonged southerly winds will maintain humid outdoors conditions in addition to a moist atmosphere, especially at lower levels. Cumulative precipitation will add up to Day 7 totals in the 2-4 inch range, with isolated higher amounts possible. /16/ && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 111 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023 VFR conditions will mostly prevail early today ahead of developing thunderstorms this afternoon. A disturbance will push into East Texas with coverage of showers and thunderstorms developing further as they push into the terminals by 21z. Tempo groups for MVFR thunderstorms with gusty winds with brief IFR possible were added at Tyler, Longview, and Shreveport where there is the most confidence in thunderstorms this afternoon with prevailing VCTS elsewhere. Lingering showers and thunderstorms should mostly come to an end by 05Z across the terminals. Winds will be southerly this afternoon at 10-15kts with gusts to 20-25kts, decreasing to 5-10kts out of the south tonight. Ceilings will return to MVFR overnight and drop to IFR around the pre-dawn hours into the mid morning on Tuesday before returning to MVFR and then VFR by late morning. /04-Woodrum/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 69 86 68 83 / 20 40 30 60 MLU 69 89 68 85 / 20 30 30 60 DEQ 65 86 66 81 / 20 30 30 70 TXK 68 88 67 83 / 20 30 30 70 ELD 66 89 66 83 / 20 30 30 70 TYR 68 86 67 83 / 30 40 30 60 GGG 67 86 67 82 / 20 40 30 60 LFK 68 86 67 82 / 20 60 30 60 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && SHORT TERM...04 LONG TERM....16 AVIATION...04
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 101 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023 ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-TXZ096- 097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-091815- 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- 101 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible across the area this afternoon and through the evening hours. An isolated strong to severe storm cannot be ruled out, with damaging winds and large hail being the primary threats. Localized flooding from isolated heavy downpours remains possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Periods of scattered thunderstorms will continue through much of the upcoming work week and into next weekend. The overall threat of severe weather is uncertain, but the potential for an isolated severe thunderstorm during this period cannot be ruled out. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats with any severe storms. Also, with a prolonged period of thunderstorms expected, flooding could become a threat across the region. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. 16
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
302 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
ARZ070-071-TXZ112-082030-
Lafayette AR-Miller AR-Cass TX-
302 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Miller,
western Lafayette and northeastern Cass Counties through 330 PM
CDT...
At 302 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Queen City, or near Atlanta, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Atlanta, Queen City, Fouke, Ravanna, Brightstar, Bloomburg,
Douglassville, Domino, Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Valley and Fort Lynn.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3325 9435 3326 9432 3324 9426 3324 9423
3328 9424 3330 9414 3329 9411 3331 9411
3330 9410 3331 9409 3329 9409 3330 9406
3327 9404 3333 9404 3337 9386 3309 9380
3304 9430
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 262DEG 12KT 3316 9422
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
320 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
TXZ150-151-153-082045-
Panola TX-Rusk TX-Shelby TX-
320 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Panola,
southeastern Rusk and northwestern Shelby Counties through 345 PM
CDT...
At 319 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Pinehill, or 17 miles southwest of Carthage, moving
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Carthage, Gary City, Woods, Lawsonville and Dotson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3186 9457 3201 9470 3223 9437 3199 9419
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 238DEG 21KT 3197 9455
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
341 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
TXZ126-138-082130-
Harrison TX-Marion TX-
341 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Marion and
northeastern Harrison Counties through 430 PM CDT...
At 341 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm just
southwest of Jefferson, or 13 miles north of Marshall, moving east
at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jefferson, Berea and Woodlawn.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3267 9448 3279 9448 3286 9418 3261 9418
TIME...MOT...LOC 2040Z 269DEG 11KT 3272 9441
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
352 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
ARZ061-072-082130-
Nevada AR-Columbia AR-
352 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Nevada
and north central Columbia Counties through 430 PM CDT...
At 352 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm just
northwest of Waldo, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Waldo, McNeil, Willisville, Young, College Hill, Lamartine and
Waterloo.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3364 9311 3338 9312 3338 9309 3332 9332
3341 9339 3344 9337 3345 9339 3366 9312
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 238DEG 13KT 3339 9331
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
410 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
TXZ138-082145-
Harrison TX-
410 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Harrison County through 445 PM CDT...
At 410 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm just
north of Hallsville, or 10 miles east of Longview, moving east at 20
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marshall, Hallsville and Nesbitt.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3253 9469 3267 9465 3266 9433 3243 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 277DEG 16KT 3257 9459
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
457 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
LAZ001-002-TXZ138-082245-
Bossier LA-Caddo LA-Harrison TX-
457 PM CDT Mon May 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Caddo,
west central Bossier Parishes in northwestern Louisiana and
southeastern Harrison Counties through 545 PM CDT...
At 457 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
between Marshall and Hallsville, moving east at 20 mph. Other strong
storms were indicated from near Marshall, to Waskom, to Greenwood,
Blanchard, and Benton, moving east northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Shreveport, Marshall, Greenwood, Blanchard, Waskom, Oil City,
Mooringsport, Belcher, Karnack, Scottsville, Dixie, Nesbitt, Caddo
Lake, Cross Lake, Cavett, Leigh, Jonesville and Bethany.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3270 9410 3269 9409 3269 9405 3272 9404
3282 9371 3234 9388 3237 9404 3239 9405
3238 9410 3246 9452 3257 9452
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 271DEG 15KT 3251 9444
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 13 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:16 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were downed in Blanchard, including across Highway 173 between Smith and Bostwick Roads, as well as Blanchard Furrh Road about 1/2 mile west of the railroad crossing.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Louisiana, May 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: 1097098.