Surface analysis identified a cold front advancing into the Ark-La-Tex region early in the afternoon on May 22nd. Weak surface troughing preceded the cold front, noted by a wind shift from southerly to the south of the boundary to northerly to the north of it.
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.
Surface analysis identified a cold front advancing into the Ark-La-Tex region early in the afternoon on May 22nd. Weak surface troughing preceded the cold front, noted by a wind shift from southerly to the south of the boundary to northerly to the north of it. This troughing was influential in the intensification of thunderstorms moving into parts of Southwest Arkansas through mid afternoon. The air mass ahead of the boundary was characterized by ample low-level moisture and very strong buoyancy. MLCAPE was over 3000 J/kg across the entire region, and vertical shear was quite strong with bulk shear values in the 50 to 60 knot range. Although some minimal convective inhibition remained early on, it eroded quickly with robust thunderstorm development along and ahead of these boundaries. As a result, a few strong to severe thunderstorms were observed in Hempstead County Arkansas with isolated damaging wind gusts along with significant cloud-to-ground lightning that killed nearly 20 head of cattle huddled near a tree.
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 22, 1:50 PM CST, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 250 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Thursday Night) Issued at 250 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024 Convection looks to still be well underway by 00Z this evening. Discrete supercells capable of protecting very large hail will eventually coalesce into a Mesoscale Convective System, from which point onwards the principal threat will shift to damaging winds, as well as flooding rainfall. This initial round of convection should come to an end late this evening and into the overnight hours, but enough model solutions indicate the potential for renewed convection across our northern zones through the night and into the early morning tomorrow to carry at least a slight chance of precip in these zones in our weather grids in advance of the next significant round of storms. Continued cloud cover through the night should keep lows fairly mild tonight, though rain cooling effects may manage to allow us to drop into the upper 60s to lower 70s. Depending on how much post convection clouds break up through the morning and early afternoon, highs may manage to rebound back into the upper 80s and lower 90s tomorrow afternoon, with lower to middle 80s north. Lows Friday morning look to be similar to tonight's, ranging from the mid to upper 60s north to lower 70s south. Tomorrow morning's storm chances will spread south into the afternoon, consistent with the next impulse of energy driving a similar convective mode to today's, if perhaps not as far south in extent. This broad timing progression suggests similarity as well in timing, with a largely afternoon and evening event, with all modes of severe weather possible yet again, to a lesser extent than today, both in coverage and in confidence. That being said, careful attention will, as always, be paid to forthcoming forecast updates. /26/ && .LONG TERM... (Friday through next Tuesday) Issued at 250 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024 As of this writing, Friday looks to begin with a discernible gap in the precip grids, but this may be wise to take with a grain of salt, as the ArkLaTex feels locked into something of a "rinse and repeat" forecast cycle for at least a few more days while the pseudo- stationary surface boundary draped along our north continues to work with in tandem with upper level flow to steer one round of storms after another into our region. This looks to be the case once again by Friday evening, with storm chances along and north of the I-20 corridor developing and continuing overnight before diminishing Saturday morning, followed by some drying Saturday afternoon and a similar performance overnight into Sunday, this time restrained largely to the I-30 corridor and areas to the north. Details regarding coverage and timing are, of course, subject to change. The weekend will see persistent southerly flow reinforce the warming trend experienced this week, with widespread highs in the low 90s across the region and an increase in highs climbing into the middle 90s, in concert with dewpoints in the low to mid 70s, these will make for uncomfortable to oppressive humidity for portions of the region before a regime change finally takes effect. Said pattern shift looks to manifest during the day Monday, as the upper level troughing associated with the surface boundary finally gets nudged north and east by a building ridge out of the west. This transitional pattern will allow for northwesterly flow to return area lows to the 60s and highs to the 80s through at least the middle of next week, followed by a fairly quick return to the 90s by the end of this extended forecast period. /26/ && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 100 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024 VFR conditions are expected this afternoon and at least a portion of this evening, with cu cigs expected to persist across much of the region through this time. However, convection will continue to increase through the afternoon across portions of NE TX/SW AR, possibly affecting the TXK terminal by mid-afternoon. This convection should eventually build farther SE across E TX and into N LA by/after 00Z Thursday, affecting the I-20 terminals between 00-03Z. MVFR cigs with gusty winds/reduced vsbys are likely in/near the convection, although these storms should develop a cold pool deep enough to delay the onset of low cloud development through much of the overnight hours generally along/N of I-20. However, low MVFR/IFR cigs will be possible at LFK especially if convection does not affect this terminal late this evening/overnight. Once diurnal heating commences shortly after daybreak, should begin to see IFR/low MVFR cigs develop over the area, which will slowly lift/eventually scatter out by the end of the 18Z TAF period. S winds 8-13kts with occasional higher gusts to 20kts, will become SSE and diminish below 10kts, except gusty in/near convection. Winds should diminish to 5kts or less once the convection diminishes late tonight. /15/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 72 90 73 93 / 70 20 30 0 MLU 70 90 71 93 / 60 20 20 0 DEQ 66 84 67 87 / 60 50 60 10 TXK 69 87 70 91 / 70 40 50 10 ELD 67 87 68 91 / 80 30 40 10 TYR 70 88 73 92 / 70 20 20 0 GGG 70 88 72 91 / 70 20 30 0 LFK 71 91 73 93 / 40 10 0 0 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && SHORT TERM...26 LONG TERM....26 AVIATION...15
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 323 AM CDT Wed May 22 2024 ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-TXZ096- 097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-231200- 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- 323 AM CDT Wed May 22 2024 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...Today and Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms will become widespread late this afternoon, into the evening and overnight hours across much of the Four State Region. Large hail, damaging thunderstorm wind gusts and locally heavy downpours will be the primary threats with an isolated tornado threat as well. The severe weather threat should end from northwest to southeast across the Four State Region overnight tonight. While widespread flooding is not likely through tonight, flooding of low lying and flood prone areas will be possible with heavy downpours through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Severe weather will be possible once again late Thursday into Thursday Night, late Friday into Friday Night and again late in the day on Saturday across mainly portions of Northeast Texas, Southeast Oklahoma and Southwest Arkansas. Large hail and damaging thunderstorm wind gusts will again be the main threats Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A strong cold front will move through the region on Memorial Day and Monday Night bringing with it another chance of thunderstorms. Before the cold front arrives late on Monday, we will see some of the hottest temperatures of the late Spring Season with afternoon high temperatures both Saturday and Sunday in the lower to middle 90s. Combine this with high afternoon humidity and heat indices could approach 105 degrees across some locations. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be likely later this afternoon and into the late evening and early overnight periods tonight with the development of severe thunderstorms. 13
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
257 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
OKZ077-TXZ096-222045-
McCurtain OK-Red River TX-
257 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MCCURTAIN AND
CENTRAL RED RIVER COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM CDT...
At 257 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Blossom, or 13 miles east of Paris, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Clarksville, Idabel, Bagwell, Manchester, Detroit, Annona, Silver
City, English, Negley, Albion, Bryarly, and Woodland.
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 500 PM CDT for
southeastern Oklahoma...and northeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3382 9531 3397 9475 3360 9476 3356 9531
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 260DEG 36KT 3368 9532
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
323 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
OKZ077-222100-
McCurtain OK-
323 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MCCURTAIN COUNTY
THROUGH 400 PM CDT...
At 323 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northeast of Fort Towson, or 26 miles east of Hugo, moving east
at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Slim, Rufe, Ringold, and Glover.
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 500 PM CDT for
southeastern Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3432 9484 3407 9476 3407 9515 3410 9516
3423 9515 3425 9509 3424 9508 3425 9505
3426 9505
TIME...MOT...LOC 2023Z 261DEG 28KT 3415 9509
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
338 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
ARZ050-051-059-060-222130-
Howard AR-Hempstead AR-Sevier AR-Little River AR-
338 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LITTLE RIVER...
CENTRAL HEMPSTEAD...SOUTHEASTERN SEVIER AND SOUTHEASTERN HOWARD
COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM CDT...
At 337 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ashdown, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hope, Ashdown, Wilton, Tollette, Washington, Saratoga, Ozan, McNab,
Bright Star, Millwood, and Red Bluff.
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.
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 500 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3361 9410 3376 9418 3389 9375 3363 9356
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 257DEG 28KT 3369 9407
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
347 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
ARZ051-222115-
Howard AR-
347 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN HOWARD COUNTY
THROUGH 415 PM CDT...
At 347 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Umpire, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Umpire, Athens, and Burg.
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 500 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3435 9394 3427 9394 3426 9392 3420 9393
3421 9417 3435 9418
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 257DEG 27KT 3426 9407
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
358 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
ARZ061-222115-
Nevada AR-
358 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL NEVADA COUNTY
THROUGH 415 PM CDT...
At 358 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Okolona, or 8 miles north of Prescott, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central
Nevada County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for
southwestern Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3395 9337 3393 9334 3392 9334 3392 9332
3391 9332 3390 9330 3387 9331 3385 9336
3394 9344 3395 9343 3395 9342 3396 9338
TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 228DEG 27KT 3393 9335
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
419 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
TXZ124-222145-
Wood TX-
419 PM CDT Wed May 22 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WOOD COUNTY THROUGH
445 PM CDT...
At 419 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northeast of Emory, or 12 miles south of Sulphur Springs,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Winnsboro, Pleasant Grove, Lake Fork Reservoir, and Yantis.
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 3296 9530 3292 9529 3290 9566 3296 9567
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 267DEG 22KT 3296 9566
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 150 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:25 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree downed on County Road 252 in the De Ann community.
Nineteen head of cattle were killed when lightning struck a nearby tree just off of Highway 371 several miles east of Blevins near the Nevada County line.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, May 2024
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: 1187038, 1187043.