Areas of deep convection began to develop late in the afternoon and through the evening of June 17th across Southeast Oklahoma into the Ark-La-Tex region. A stationary front was draped from west-northwest to east-southeast through the region, with temperatures generally in the mid to upper 90s and dew points around 80 degrees.
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.
Areas of deep convection began to develop late in the afternoon and through the evening of June 17th across Southeast Oklahoma into the Ark-La-Tex region. A stationary front was draped from west-northwest to east-southeast through the region, with temperatures generally in the mid to upper 90s and dew points around 80 degrees. These conditions contributed to extreme instability with around 5500-6000 J/kg. As a result, very vigorous updraft development occurred over the next several hours, eventually maturing into some supercell structures given 45-55 knots of bulk shear. The threat for damaging wind gusts quickly materialized with several reports of damaging wind gusts across McCurtain County in Southeast Oklahoma prior to midnight, resulting in one fatality from a fallen tree at Beavers Bend State Park.
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 Jun 17, 10:31 PM CST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1131 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 ...New UPDATE, AVIATION... .UPDATE... Issued at 1125 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 Severe Thunderstorm Watch 330 remains in effect for SE Oklahoma, Extreme NE Texas, and most of SW Arkansas. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the areas, generally north of the I-20 corridor tonight, with damaging winds and large hail being the primary threats. /20/ && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Sunday Night) Issued at 342 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 It's been a very long week for everyone, and it looks like the ArkLaTex is in for two more rounds of severe weather before this marathon is finally over. Additionally, much of the region will continue to experience oppressive heat indices this weekend and into early next week. Beginning this evening, the first complex of thunderstorms will organize along the Texas-Oklahoma border and propagate eastward into the Four State Region as midnight approaches. Depending on the forward speed of this initial line, the opportunity may exist for interaction with steep lapse rates in the vicinity of 8.0 deg C/km. If this transpires, large hail may be a concern. The 18Z HRRR drives this first line across the northern ArkLaTex overnight, passing through the Texarkana metro circa midnight and continuing across southern Arkansas into the small hours of the morning. While this is taking place through the late overnight and very early morning hours, another cluster of thunderstorms will simultaneously be organizing in south central Oklahoma into north central Texas. As daybreak Sunday approaches, this cluster looks posed to spread into a large squall line oriented from northwest to southeast, reaching extreme southeastern Oklahoma possibly as soon as 09Z or 10Z and if forward speed is sufficient, reaching the Shreveport-Bossier metro early tomorrow morning. Concurrently, in the wake of the departing first system, additional convection looks to fire up along the Louisiana-Arkansas border ahead of the second line during the morning Sunday. As the second system pushes into the region overnight, a large swath of surface to 500 mb bulk shear values in excess of 50 kts will push south and east over the Four State Region on northwest flow aloft. If this shear mixes down to the surface, damaging winds may prove to be a significant concern across much of the region, in addition to the threat of large hail and a tornado or two. The HRRR depicts an aggressive solution pushing the majority of the convection out of the SHV CWA as soon as lunchtime Sunday. The consensus is somewhat more reserved, however, and also suggests a slight chance of further storms across the southern half of the region through the afternoon and early evening Sunday, gradually clearing the area from west to east overnight as Monday morning approaches. Regarding precise timing solutions, it is important to remember that one model doesn't necessarily tell the whole story, and the entire Four State Region should be prepared for multiple rounds of severe weather beginning this evening and continuing for much of the day Sunday. On top of the above, persistent heat and oppressive humidity look to continue to combine to make heat indices an additional hazard through the weekend. Extremely high dew points this afternoon motivated the upgrading of the Heat Advisory to an Excessive Heat Warning along much of the I-20 corridor as far east as Webster parish, and at least the Advisory will likely need to be extended through the overnight hours once again. Lows in the upper 60s north to upper 70s south will make for another warm, muggy night which looks to repeat itself Sunday night into Monday morning. Highs Sunday are currently forecast to again climb into the upper 80s north to upper 90s south, with heat indices above 105 looking likely once again. /26/ && .LONG TERM... (Monday through next Friday) Issued at 342 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 During the day Monday, an upper level ridge will build centered over the Upper Great Lakes and it's trailing axis southward across the Plains and to the Big Bend of Texas. South of the ridge, an upper trough will become cutoff. Together, this will form a Rex Block that will generally come to dominate our weather until the end of the week. Hot and humid conditions will persist Monday and Tuesday likely resulting in more Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings. Tuesday will likely be the worst day in terms of the heat, as compressional warming ahead of a backdoor cold front should add at least a couple of degrees more to daytime highs. Several locations in Deep East Texas may see afternoon highs about the century mark, and much of East Texas may have peak heat indices above 110 degrees F. We should finally begin to see relief Wednesday and Thursday as cooler and drier air advect into the region from the northeast in the wake of the aforementioned cold front. There is a great deal of uncertainty how far southwest the cooler air will intrude. Portions of East Texas and the Lower Toledo Bend Region may remain in the mid to upper 90s, but locations along and north of Interstate 20 should only be in the upper 80s to near 90 degrees F. However, the Rex Block will break down and the upper trough will retrograde over the region. Rain chances during the long-term period will generally be limited to isolated diurnally-driven convection in the southeast half of the area. However, PoPs will diminish as deep layer moisture continues to wane. As we dry out and maintain abundant sunshine, temperatures will climb back into the mid to upper 90s by next weekend. CN && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1125 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 VFR conditions across the region, but convection can be expected overnight, especially in areas along and north of the I-20 corridor. The convection, along with low cigs, could result in reduced flight categories. More convection is expected across the region on Sunday, which could result in the continuation of reduced flight categories. /20/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 76 95 74 96 / 50 30 30 0 MLU 73 92 73 93 / 30 50 50 10 DEQ 67 87 66 94 / 70 50 10 0 TXK 71 91 70 95 / 70 50 20 0 ELD 69 90 69 92 / 60 50 40 0 TYR 76 96 74 97 / 30 20 20 0 GGG 76 95 73 97 / 40 30 20 0 LFK 77 97 75 100 / 10 20 20 0 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && SHORT TERM...26 LONG TERM....09 AVIATION...20
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1016 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 ARZ050-051-059>061-070-071-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-108>112-190330- Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette- McCurtain-Red River-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp-Morris-Cass- 1016 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 330 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible tonight. Damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Another upper level disturbance riding along and north of the stationary front will focus additional showers and thunderstorms across the region Sunday. Some of these storms could again be severe, with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall the primary threats. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Afternoon high temperatures will climb into the mid to upper 90s Sunday through Wednesday, and when combined with the high humidity, will result in afternoon heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees across Deep East Texas and North Central Louisiana. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ARZ072-073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-TXZ124>126-136>138-149>153- 165>167-190330- Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-De Soto- Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine-Natchitoches-Winn-Grant- Caldwell-La Salle-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee- Rusk-Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine- 1016 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, east Texas and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible tonight, especially along and north of Interstate 20. Damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Another upper level disturbance riding along and north of the stationary front will focus additional showers and thunderstorms across the region Sunday. Some of these storms could again be severe, with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall the primary threats. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Afternoon high temperatures will climb into the mid to upper 90s Sunday through Wednesday, and when combined with the high humidity, will result in afternoon heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees across Deep East Texas and North Central Louisiana. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. 20
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
931 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
LAZ006-014-180330-
Ouachita LA-Union LA-
931 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Union
and northeastern Ouachita Parishes through 1030 PM CDT...
At 931 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Farmerville, or 18 miles northwest of Claiborne, moving east at 35
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...
Monroe, Swartz, Farmerville, Sterlington, Fairbanks, Perryville,
Bayou D Arbonne Lake, Rocky Branch, Loch Lomon, Guthrie, Deshard and
Spencer.
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 3251 9191 3266 9242 3267 9242 3268 9250
3285 9244 3277 9206 3276 9206 3274 9205
3273 9207 3269 9205 3270 9204 3271 9204
3270 9202 3271 9197 3266 9194 3266 9191
3260 9193 3251 9190
TIME...MOT...LOC 0231Z 286DEG 31KT 3275 9239
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
13Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
932 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
LAZ006-180315-
Union LA-
932 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Union
Parish through 1015 PM CDT...
At 932 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Farmerville, or 13 miles southwest of Huttig, moving
east 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...
Marion, Cecil, Oakland, Haile, Linville and Litroe.
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 3276 9206 3283 9246 3301 9243 3300 9207
3299 9207 3298 9208 3297 9207 3297 9208
3292 9207 3292 9208 3287 9208 3284 9206
3283 9207 3280 9205
TIME...MOT...LOC 0232Z 276DEG 23KT 3292 9236
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
13Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
936 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0650 PM Hail 3 SE Benton 32.66N 93.70W
06/17/2023 E1.00 inch Bossier LA Public
Hail reported in the Woodlake South area
near Benton.
&&
20Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
955 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0805 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Haynesville 32.97N 93.14W
06/17/2023 Claiborne LA Law Enforcement
Widespread trees and power lines down across the
Haynesville.
&&
Event Number SHV2300008
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1147 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
ARZ050-051-OKZ077-180515-
Howard AR-Sevier AR-McCurtain OK-
1147 PM CDT Sat Jun 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Sevier,
northwestern Howard and east central McCurtain Counties through 1215
AM CDT...
At 1147 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles east of Broken Bow, or 13 miles west of De Queen, moving east
at 25 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...
De Queen, Dierks, Gillham, Lebanon, Eagletown and West Line.
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
southwestern Arkansas...and southeastern Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3435 9415 3408 9401 3397 9463 3414 9469
3425 9447 3419 9447 3419 9425 3427 9424
3427 9425 3435 9426
TIME...MOT...LOC 0447Z 254DEG 22KT 3406 9458
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
13Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1215 AM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023
ARZ051-060-061-180545-
Howard AR-Hempstead AR-Nevada AR-
1215 AM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern
Hempstead, southeastern Howard and northern Nevada Counties through
1245 AM CDT...
At 1215 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Nashville to near Prescott. Movement was
east at 75 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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...
Nashville, Prescott, Mineral Springs, Blevins, Tollette, McCaskill,
Ozan, Boughton and Reader.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3401 9382 3398 9365 3396 9362 3394 9351
3396 9347 3395 9342 3396 9338 3390 9330
3388 9331 3384 9329 3383 9326 3383 9323
3380 9318 3382 9314 3378 9310 3374 9310
3382 9396 3404 9382
TIME...MOT...LOC 0515Z 272DEG 64KT 3390 9385 3384 9336
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
13The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 147 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:21 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several RVs at Pine Creek Lake were flipped over by severe thunderstorm wind gusts.
Trees downed on Old 98 from Valliant to Wright City and on State Highway 98 north of Highway 70.
Numerous trees and power lines downed throughout McCurtain County.
A tree was downed onto an RV at Beavers Bend State Park, resulting in the fatality of a female occupant inside.
A 61 mph wind gust was recorded at the Oklahoma Mesonet site in Idabel.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, McCurtain | 2023-06-17 | Female | Camping | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, 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: 1112856, 1112857, 1112858, 1112859, 1112860.