Flash Flood and Hail in Oklahoma, September 20, 2025

Name: Flash Flood and Hail in Oklahoma, September 20, 2025
Start: 2025-09-20T16:05
End: 2025-09-20T21:00
Location: Oklahoma

September 20, 2025 · NWS OUN · 7 events in 3 counties and zones

Widespread daytime and evening thunderstorm activity impacted the WFO Norman Forecast Area on the 20th. ) a remnant mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) across the Red River Valley.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

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 OUN wrote it up.

Widespread daytime and evening thunderstorm activity impacted the WFO Norman Forecast Area on the 20th. This activity was influenced by two factors: 1.) a weak surface low and associated front, and 2.) a remnant mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) across the Red River Valley. Despite relatively weak wind shear across most of the area, slightly stronger daytime instability across the former regime promoted more robust convection (and associated severe outcomes). Damaging wind gusts and a few instances of large hail were observed with this activity.

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 Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 20, 11:41 AM CST, 4 hours 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 1231 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025
Widespread scattered showers and storms are possible again this afternoon and evening with a few storms becoming strong to severe and capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.
Severe storms are again possible on Sunday and Monday.
Above-normal temperatures through the weekend before potentially cooling down to near-normal by the middle of next week.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 20, 11:41 AM CST, 4 hours 24 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
1241 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1231 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

 - Widespread scattered showers and storms are possible again
   this afternoon and evening with a few storms becoming strong to
   severe and capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.

 - Severe storms are again possible on Sunday and Monday.

 - Above-normal temperatures through the weekend before
   potentially cooling down to near-normal by the middle of next
   week.

&&

.NEAR TERM...
(Rest of today and tonight)
Issued at 1231 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

A shortwave mid-level trough will swing across the southern
Plains this afternoon and evening. Scattered thunderstorms are
expected to develop starting this afternoon across the western
third of the area. Storms will be developing in an environment
characterized by DCAPE of around 1200 J/kg, in addition to
sufficient instability. Stronger storms are expected to develop
within this environment and will be capable of producing strong to
damaging wind gusts and large hail. Storms generally will move to
the east through the evening.

Additional development is possible overnight across much of the
area as a low-level jet increases after sunset. Marginally severe
storms are again possible overnight across much of the area.
Flooding concerns may develop should storms train over the same
area this afternoon through the overnight hours.

Bunker

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Sunday through Monday night)
Issued at 1231 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

Showers and storms will likely be ongoing Sunday morning across
portions of the area. The aforementioned trough will shift to the
east and northwest flow will move in from the west. This flow will
help to continue showers and storms into the afternoon,
decreasing from west to east during the evening.

Hot temperatures are expected Monday as an upper ridge builds
over the southern Plains. Many locations will get into the low
90s, while locations to the southwest will approach 100 F.
Increasing southerly surface flow will transport upper 60s to low
70s dewpoints northward across much of the area. This moisture
will support a very unstable atmosphere by the afternoon. Lack of
large scale ascent during the day is likely to preclude storms
from developing at least in the afternoon. A mid-level wave begins
to move towards the southern Rockies later in the evening, which
will foster storm initiation across the lee of the Rockies in
southwestern Kansas. This development will congeal into a line
and shift towards our area. As this line moves into and across the
area, damaging winds will be the primary hazard.

Bunker

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through Friday)
Issued at 1254 AM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

Ensemble guidance continues to point towards a positively tilted
trough axis by the middle of next week. Thus, increased rain and
storm chances will continue through Tuesday and Wednesday, followed
by much cooler (near or slightly below-average) temperatures in the
70s to 80s by Wednesday and through the remainder of the week. The
largest uncertainty remains to be the strength, timing and position
of this trough axis which will play a significant role in how long
daily rain and storm chances continue through next week and how long
the cooler airmass will be in place.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1222 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

Scattered thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and
overnight across the area, though confidence in timing and location
remains low. Otherwise, conditions will remain VFR with generally
light and southerly (somewhat variable) winds. Any outflow from
thunderstorms could also add variability and gustiness to winds.

Day

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  68  82  67  90 /  50  60  40  20
Hobart OK         66  89  66  95 /  60  50  20  10
Wichita Falls TX  69  91  70  97 /  50  50  20  10
Gage OK           62  85  62  89 /  50  30  10  10
Ponca City OK     66  82  65  88 /  40  50  50  20
Durant OK         70  90  71  92 /  10  20  30  30

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...None.
TX...None.
&&

NEAR TERM...13
SHORT TERM...13
LONG TERM....23
AVIATION...14

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 3:07 PM CST, 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
407 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

OKZ039-202130-
Stephens OK-
407 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Stephens County through 430 PM CDT...

At 407 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Corum, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Duncan, Comanche, Corum, northwestern Waurika Lake, and Empire City.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3446 9814 3452 9794 3433 9786 3433 9814
TIME...MOT...LOC 2107Z 252DEG 7KT 3440 9808

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

..speg.

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 3:41 PM CST, 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
441 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

OKZ023-024-202215-
Canadian OK-Caddo OK-
441 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Caddo
and southwestern Canadian Counties through 515 PM CDT...

At 441 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles west of Cogar, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Cogar and Cedar Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3536 9831 3548 9810 3525 9810 3522 9829
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 237DEG 17KT 3531 9821

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

..speg.

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 3:49 PM CST, 16 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
449 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

OKZ005-010-202215-
Woodward OK-Woods OK-
449 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Woods and
northeastern Woodward Counties through 515 PM CDT...

At 449 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Alabaster Caverns State Park, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Freedom, Alabaster Caverns State Park, and Camp Houston.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3655 9916 3663 9929 3689 9919 3674 9895
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 211DEG 14KT 3666 9919

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

..speg.

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 3:50 PM CST, 15 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
450 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

OKZ039-202215-
Stephens OK-
450 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Stephens County through 515 PM CDT...

At 450 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Bray, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Velma.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3440 9787 3458 9793 3467 9767 3446 9759
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 252DEG 14KT 3452 9782

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

..speg.

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 4:00 PM CST, 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
500 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

OKZ005-006-011-202230-
Major OK-Alfalfa OK-Woods OK-
500 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Woods,
southwestern Alfalfa and northwestern Major Counties through 530 PM
CDT...

At 459 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms 5
miles west of Aline, 5 miles northwest of Orienta, and 13 miles west
of Cleo Springs. Movement was northeast at 15 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 damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Carmen, Cleo Springs, Aline, and Orienta.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3660 9825 3631 9846 3638 9878 3664 9864
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 230DEG 15KT 3649 9855 3641 9855 3642 9868

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

..speg.

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 4:05 PM CST, 0 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
505 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

OKZ024-027-202230-
Grady OK-Canadian OK-
505 PM CDT Sat Sep 20 2025

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Grady
and south central Canadian Counties through 530 PM CDT...

At 505 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cogar, moving northeast at 15 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 damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
El Reno, Union City, and Minco.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3551 9798 3533 9789 3529 9810 3544 9810
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 238DEG 13KT 3537 9810

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

..speg.

The radar

The Vance AFB radar (KVNX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:04 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Woodward

When: September 20, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Woodward County, 17.17 mi N of Mooreland Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 36.726, -99.142

Freedom (FREE) Mesonet observation.

Hail, Garfield

When: September 20, 4:37 PM CST
Where: Garfield County, 3.24 mi S of Fairmont
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.304, -97.711

Hail, Noble

When: September 20, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Noble County, 3.91 mi SSE of Billings
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.475, -97.422

The report was relayed through mPING.

Thunderstorm Wind, Garfield

When: September 20, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Garfield County, 1.23 mi WSW of Waukomis
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.275, -97.921

Relayed images show multiple power poles snapped along Wood Road. The location is approximate, and the event time is estimated from radar observations.

Thunderstorm Wind, Garfield

When: September 20, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Garfield County, 4.14 mi E of Waukomis
Measured: 73 kt (84 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.275, -97.826

Wind gust measured by a mobile mesonet platform.

Flash Flood, Garfield

When: September 20, 6:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Garfield County, 1.47 mi SSE of Waukomis to 2.43 mi SSE of Waukomis
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.260, -97.890

The northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 81, between Flynn and Lucien Roads, were impassable due to flooding. The event time is approximate.

Hail, Garfield

When: September 20, 6:01 PM CST
Where: Garfield County, 2 mi S of Waukomis
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.251, -97.900

The location is approximate.

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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, September 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: 1289663, 1289656, 1289657, 1289658, 1289660, 1289662, 1289661.