Hail in Oklahoma, May 17, 2025

Name: Hail in Oklahoma, May 17, 2025
Start: 2025-05-17T20:27
End: 2025-05-17T20:27
Location: Oklahoma

May 17, 2025 · NWS SHV · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

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Wind
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Fire, smoke and dust
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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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 SHV wrote it up.

A weak stationary front extended north of the Interstate 20 corridor in Northeast Texas east into far Southern Arkansas during the afternoon hour of May 17th, which began to drift back north by late afternoon into the evening, due to a southerly low level flow that developed across the broad warm sector to the south. This was in response to tighter pressure gradient ahead of an upper level trough that traversed northeast from the Southern Plains into the Ozarks. Ample daytime heating atop a very moist air mass along and south of the front contributed to strong instability, with increased large scale forcing ahead of the trough and along the front resulting in scattered strong to severe thunderstorms developing during the afternoon and evening across portions of Southern Arkansas, extreme Northeast Texas, and Southeast Oklahoma. One isolated strong thunderstorm moved across Southern McCurtain County Oklahoma, producing nickel size hail in the Lukfata community.

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 Shreveport, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 17, 7:13 PM CST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 17, 7:13 PM CST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
813 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

...New UPDATE...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 812 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 282 has been issued for areas generally
near and north of I-20 corridor through 2 AM tonight. Damaging
winds and hail are the primary threats. /20/

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Sunday Night)
Issued at 247 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

After dodging severe weather yesterday, it doesn't appear we will
have the same fortunes this go 'round. From a simple comparative
standpoint, we are seeing far more breaks in the cloud cover this
afternoon as compared to this time yesterday. Additionally, our
12Z sounding from this morning indicated a much weaker capping
inversion than we were dealing with yesterday. Hence, yesterday's
significant lack of convection across our region is not likely to
repeat itself later this afternoon and evening. This thinking is
reinforced by the fact that forcing aloft is expected to be much
stronger this evening as a shortwave disturbance embedded in SW
flow aloft is noted this afternoon over Central Texas. This has
already resulted in several thunderstorms going severe SW of the
DFW metro area. This trend is only expected to increase farther
east toward the I-35 corridor as we go through the remainder of
this afternoon, then eventually spreading into the I-30 and I-20
corridors across our region by early this evening.

At the sfc, we continue to analyze a cold front just north of our
region. South of the boundary, sfc-based CAPE has skyrocketed into
the 4500-6000 J/kg range with modestly steep mid-level lapse rates
as well. As strong to severe storms continue to evolve out to our
west this afternoon, hi-res CAM guidance suggest this convection
should eventually congeal into a bowing MCS or large wind-driven
cluster of storms by early to mid evening as they enter our NW
zones. This thinking was much of the impetus for SPC expanding the
Day 1 Enhanced Risk across a larger swath of our northern CWA. In
addition, large hail will be possible with any individual storms
that develop later this evening and along with the potential MCS.
Given the excessively high level of instability, very large hail
over 2 inches in diameter is certainly plausible. As we approach
midnight, the severe threat should gradually begin to diminish as
the aforementioned shortwave pivots NE of the region. However, we
may not lose convection entirely due to the sfc boundary easing
farther south into our northernmost zones but don't anticipate
this posing a severe threat beyond midnight into early Sunday
morning.

Unfortunately, the threat of additional severe weather will return
late on Sunday into Sunday night once again across our the more NW
parts of CWA. This will occur as another shortwave quickly ejects
across Texas over the same general area as today's disturbance
with the Middle Red River Valley directly in the crosshairs.
Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats once
again, but a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Similar to tonight,
the severe threat will gradually diminish by late evening toward
midnight as upper forcing exits to the NE. Temperatures throughout
the remainder of the weekend will remain well above average due
to the lack of frontal passage during this short-term period.

/19/

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday through next Friday)
Issued at 247 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

The active weather pattern will continue through early next week
before we finally see a cold front advance across the region on
Tuesday and Tuesday night. Ahead of this front, very warm and
unstable air will continue to support strong to severe convection
from Monday afternoon through Tuesday. Initially, the NW half of
the region will be under the gun for severe storms by late Monday
ahead of the approaching front with all modes of severe weather
possible.

Moving into Tuesday, the severe threat will shift to our SE half
with fropa occurring early in the day across our NW zones. Shear
and instability will continue to support all severe modes through
late Tuesday before the threat finally exits the entire region by
Tuesday night. The front will usher in a much more comfortable air
mass with post-frontal temperatures running very near to slightly
below seasonal averages through the remainder of next week.

/19/

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 621 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

Very little to no changes from the 18z TAF package to the 00z TAF
period. Convective uncertainty continues given a lack of hi-res
confidence from run to run. That being said, recent radar trends
from the FWD airspace were enough to prevail SHRA at TYR, while
also including a TEMPO period at both TYR and GGG for TSRA as a
bowing complex south of DFW moves east. From there, much
uncertainty continues as it will be highly dependent upon how the
complex holds together or decays. To account for uncertainty, and
to align with the hi-res solutions which have struggled detecting
early convection, elected to include VCTS at many terminals after
00z to account for the potential. By the morning, and long after
the complex has either dissipated or departed, low dense OVC will
once again prevail across the local terminals below 3kft,
becoming more SCT to BKN by the afternoon as high level cirrus
returns aloft around FL200. Convective target for late in the TAF
period looks to be closest to KTXK and as a result, mentioned
VCTS close to 19/00z.

KNAPP

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Issued at 1239 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon through this
evening, mainly along and north of the Interstate 20 corridor with
any severe thunderstorms that develop.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  74  92  75  92 /  50  10  10  10
MLU  72  92  72  92 /  40  20  10   0
DEQ  65  84  67  85 /  60  30  30  60
TXK  70  89  71  90 /  60  30  20  40
ELD  68  88  69  91 /  60  30  20  10
TYR  72  91  74  89 /  50  20  10  40
GGG  71  91  72  90 /  50  20  10  20
LFK  74  92  74  92 /  30  10   0  10

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
LA...None.
OK...None.
TX...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...19
LONG TERM....19
AVIATION...53

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 17, 2:33 PM CST, 5 hours 54 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
333 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

ARZ073-LAZ006-172115-
Union AR-Union LA-
333 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL UNION COUNTY IN
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS AND NORTHERN UNION PARISHES THROUGH 415 PM
CDT...

At 332 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Cooley, or 16 miles southeast of Junction City, moving
northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Bernice, Farmerville, Oakland, Taylorville, Lillie, Bayou D Arbonne
Lake, Spearsville, Lockhart, Cooley, Marion, Cecil, Shiloh, 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 3270 9243 3281 9274 3282 9273 3286 9273
      3308 9260 3297 9210
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 226DEG 12KT 3288 9250

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

53

Special weather statement, May 17, 6:16 PM CST, 2 hours 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
716 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

TXZ124-125-136-180100-
Upshur TX-Smith TX-Wood TX-
716 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN SMITH...SOUTHERN WOOD
AND WESTERN UPSHUR COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 716 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Hainesville to near Edom. Movement was east at
30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
Red Springs, Carroll, Rosewood, Hawkins, Lindale, Hoard, Winona, Big
Sandy, Mineola, Grice, and Hainesville.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3274 9552 3286 9499 3240 9515 3239 9550
      3242 9551 3243 9554 3245 9555 3246 9557
      3248 9559 3258 9560
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 253DEG 24KT 3272 9536 3241 9556

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

53

Special weather statement, May 17, 6:29 PM CST, 1 hour 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
729 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

ARZ060-061-180100-
Hempstead AR-Nevada AR-
729 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL HEMPSTEAD AND
NORTHERN NEVADA COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 729 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Prescott, moving north at 20 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...
Bluff City, Prescott, Boughton, Reader, Emmet, and White Oak Lake
State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3395 9342 3396 9338 3390 9330 3388 9331
      3384 9329 3384 9326 3383 9326 3383 9323
      3380 9318 3382 9314 3378 9310 3368 9311
      3367 9312 3373 9347 3394 9353 3396 9347
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 199DEG 17KT 3383 9330

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

26

Special weather statement, May 17, 7:28 PM CST, 59 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
828 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

OKZ077-TXZ096-180215-
McCurtain OK-Red River TX-
828 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL MCCURTAIN AND
NORTHWESTERN RED RIVER COUNTIES THROUGH 915 PM CDT...

At 828 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Powderly, or 10 miles northeast of Paris, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Farmers Hill, Rufe, Millerton, Woodland, Redland, Wright City,
Kanawha, Holly Creek, Garvin, Manchester, Valliant, Kiomatia, and
Slim.

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...and northeastern Texas.

&&

LAT...LON 3388 9531 3388 9528 3391 9528 3391 9527
      3389 9527 3389 9525 3393 9525 3396 9523
      3395 9519 3395 9518 3394 9516 3413 9515
      3398 9481 3372 9531
TIME...MOT...LOC 0128Z 243DEG 52KT 3380 9546

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

26

Local storm report, May 17, 7:48 PM CST, 39 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
848 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0412 PM     Hail             1 ESE Strong            33.10N 92.34W
05/17/2025  E2.00 Inch       Union              AR   Public

            Several photos of golf ball to 2 inch hail
            just to the east and southeast of the town
            of Strong.

&&

20

Special weather statement, May 17, 7:56 PM CST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
856 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

TXZ126-137-138-180245-
Gregg TX-Harrison TX-Marion TX-
856 PM CDT Sat May 17 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN MARION...HARRISON AND
CENTRAL GREGG COUNTIES THROUGH 945 PM CDT...

At 856 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hallsville, or 11 miles west of Marshall, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea 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...
Nesbitt, Waskom, Karnack, Jefferson, Marshall, Darco, Woodlawn,
Leigh, Uncertain, Jonesville, Harleton, Hallsville, Scottsville,
Lakeport, and Longview.

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 200 AM CDT for
northwestern Louisiana...and northeastern Texas.

&&

LAT...LON 3276 9468 3277 9404 3239 9405 3241 9477
TIME...MOT...LOC 0156Z 264DEG 41KT 3255 9455

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

53

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 144 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:24 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, McCurtain

When: May 17, 8:27 PM CST
Where: McCurtain County, 1.48 mi NNW of Broken Bow Arpt
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.038, -94.784

Nickel size hail fell in the Lukfata community.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, May 2025

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: 1262730.