Strong to severe thunderstorms developed across east central and southeastern Oklahoma during the late afternoon and evening of the 23rd, along and ahead of a cold front that moved through the region. The strongest storms produced large hail to half dollar size and damaging wind gusts.
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 TSA wrote it up.
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed across east central and southeastern Oklahoma during the late afternoon and evening of the 23rd, along and ahead of a cold front that moved through the region. The strongest storms produced large hail to half dollar size and damaging wind gusts.
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 Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 23, 11:47 AM CST, 4 hours 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1247 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1230 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
- The threat for severe thunderstorms will increase by mid
afternoon across much of eastern Oklahoma and western
Arkansas, including a threat for very large hail, tornadoes
and damaging winds. The threat will diminish by early
Wednesday morning.
- Heavy rainfall potential will continue through early
Wednesday morning, with a threat for localized flooding across
most of the area.
- Temperatures drop below normal mid week, rising back above
normal by early next week with dry conditions.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Through tonight )
Issued at 1230 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
Severe weather and flooding threats through early Wednesday
morning dominate the weather concerns for this forecast. Showers
and thunderstorms persist across northeast Oklahoma and far
northwest Arkansas at midday, with the heavy rainfall so far
having focused in this same area. Radar estimates a solid area of
1 to 2 inch amounts with highly localized totals around 3 inches
in Benton and Carroll counties. Cloud tops have begun to cool once
again with the ongoing activity near the Kansas and Missouri
border that has been moving to the south and east on the nose of
the low level jet and will largely pose a continued heavy rain
threat before moving out within the next couple of hours.
Development is ongoing in the vicinity of the cold front, as far
southwest as the OKC metro, with this boundary increasingly
becoming the focus for thunderstorms during the remainder of the
afternoon and evening. CAMs continue to perform reasonably well
with timing and evolution with what has occurred in the past 12
hours or so, including the aforementioned rejuvenation ongoing in
northwest Arkansas. While the threat will begin in northeast
Oklahoma and parts of northwest Arkansas, it will shift
southeastward with time into the late evening hours before
diminishing after midnight.
Very high instability is already present across most of the area
roughly along and to the south of Highway 412 with lower values to
the north due to the ongoing and persistent cloud cover and
showers/storms to the north of a quasi-stationary boundary. Low
level shear parameters continue to focus across parts of far
northeast and east central Oklahoma and into western Arkansas,
with the northern edge of the main resulting tornado threat marked
by the aforementioned boundary. With time, there should be an
evolution toward a more linear mode, especially into the evening
hours.
Toward midnight and into early Wednesday morning, more elevated
storm development may occur, featuring a low but nonzero severe
weather potential.
The Flood Watch has been trimmed across northeast Oklahoma, with
the bulk of the remaining heavy rain focused across far eastern
Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Precipitable water values around 2
inches are centered in northeast Oklahoma and into northwest
Arkansas, which is approaching the seasonal maximum.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Tomorrow through Tuesday)
Issued at 1242 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
The front should have cleared the area by daybreak Wednesday,
although additional showers and thunderstorms are expected until
the main trough axis pushes through the region. Noticeably cooler
temperatures will be on deck for Wednesday and Thursday in the
wake of the front. The eastern edge of the upper level ridge will
expand northeastward into area to close out the work week and open
the upcoming weekend, leading to dry weather and a gradual
increase in temperatures, especially during the daytime. Into next
week, the area will largely remain between weather systems,
increasing the likelihood of a fairly prolonged period of less
active weather than we are currently experiencing.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1230 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
Showers and thunderstorms will continue to impact E OK and NW AR
sites today, providing a mix of MVFR and IFR conditions. The most
impactful storms are expected to develop along a front from mid
afternoon through late evening, with impacts initially focused
across NE OK and NW AR sites. Storms will move south with time,
eventually affecting KMLC and KFSM by late afternoon/ evening.
These storms may be severe and produce very strong winds and hail.
Following the front and associated precip, IFR cigs are forecast
to develop for most locations overnight. Additionally, guidance
suggests a period of significantly reduced vsbys in NW AR, with
the highest probability between 08-12z. Conditions gradually
improve tomorrow morning, but with IFR and MVFR cigs remaining
until early afternoon.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TUL 66 77 60 79 / 30 30 10 0
FSM 70 80 64 81 / 80 20 10 10
MLC 66 79 60 79 / 70 20 0 10
BVO 63 74 56 78 / 20 40 10 0
FYV 64 76 57 77 / 80 30 20 10
BYV 66 76 59 76 / 80 40 30 20
MKO 66 78 60 78 / 60 20 10 10
MIO 65 74 58 77 / 50 50 20 10
F10 64 79 59 78 / 50 20 0 0
HHW 69 79 61 78 / 70 30 0 10
&&
.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for OKZ056>058-060>063-
065>072-074-076.
AR...Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for ARZ001-002-010-011-019-
020-029.
&&
SHORT TERM...22
LONG TERM....22
AVIATION...43Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Tulsa OK 105 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025 ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-241030- Adair OK-Benton AR-Carroll AR-Cherokee OK-Choctaw OK-Craig OK- Crawford AR-Creek OK-Delaware OK-Franklin AR-Haskell OK-Latimer OK- Le Flore OK-Madison AR-Mayes OK-McIntosh OK-Muskogee OK-Nowata OK- Okfuskee OK-Okmulgee OK-Osage OK-Ottawa OK-Pawnee OK-Pittsburg OK- Pushmataha OK-Rogers OK-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-Tulsa OK-Wagoner OK- Washington OK-Washington AR- 105 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025 ...SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING THREATS CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT... This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as much of Eastern Oklahoma. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. TORNADO. RISK...Elevated. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. ONSET...2 PM. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. RISK...Significant. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. ONSET...Ongoing. HEAVY RAIN AND FLASH FLOOD. RISK...Elevated. AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. ONSET...Ongoing. DANGEROUS HEAT. RISK...Limited. AREA...Southeast Oklahoma. ONSET...Ongoing. DISCUSSION... Thunderstorms producing heavy rain and flash flooding are ongoing early this afternoon across parts of far northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. Thunderstorm coverage is expected to expand by mid to late afternoon to the south and west as a cold front moves through the area, sweeping southeastward into the evening hours. Instability and wind shear parameters are favorable for severe thunderstorms with a very large hail, damaging wind and tornado threat. While the tornado threat is nonzero across most of the area, a locally higher threat will exist across parts of east central Oklahoma and into western Arkansas, especially mid to late afternoon. The overall threat for severe weather will diminish after midnight, although additional elevated thunderstorms are expected to develop early Wednesday morning. In addition to the severe weather, heavy rainfall and flash flooding concerns will continue and even worsen in areas that have seen a lot of rain already today. A Flood Watch continues for much of northeast and east central Oklahoma, as well as all of northwest and west central Arkansas. Triple digit heat index values are also ongoing this afternoon in parts of southeast Oklahoma, with improving heat conditions this evening. SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of the Regional Spotter Network Expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. WEDNESDAY...Thunderstorm Potential. THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY...No Hazards. EXTENDED DISCUSSION... Scattered thunderstorms will again be possible during the day Wednesday as the upper level low moves overhead. Severe weather chances will be low with this activity, but some hail gusty winds could accompany some of the strongest storms Wednesday afternoon across northeast Oklahoma into northwest Arkansas. After Wednesday, the pattern will quiet with temperatures around seasonal normals and drier weather expected through the rest of the week. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING STATEMENT... Emergency managers and area first responders should monitor the latest information for this afternoon and evening. Given recent rains in some areas, and the potential for excessive rains through tonight, preparations for more widespread flooding issues may need to happen. weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
428 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
ARZ019-OKZ069-232145-
Crawford AR-Adair OK-
428 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CRAWFORD AND
SOUTHEASTERN ADAIR COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM CDT...
At 428 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 6 miles
south of Stilwell, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Stilwell...
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 Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Arkansas...and northeastern and east central Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3562 9447 3564 9448 3564 9466 3578 9471
3584 9451 3576 9449 3576 9447 3562 9444
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 254DEG 30KT 3572 9459
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
69Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
435 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
OKZ054-059-060-232215-
Tulsa OK-Osage OK-Pawnee OK-
435 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OSAGE...
SOUTHEASTERN PAWNEE AND CENTRAL TULSA COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM CDT...
At 435 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 3 miles
north of Keystone State Park, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Westport... Sand Springs...
Keystone State Park... Walnut Creek State Park...
Sperry... Tulsa...
Skiatook... Turley...
Tulsa International Airport... Owasso...
Collinsville... Mannford...
Catoosa...
This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 230 and 232.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3625 9636 3641 9587 3625 9581 3616 9581
3616 9578 3615 9578 3608 9630 3616 9630
3616 9633
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 258DEG 27KT 3619 9624
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
69Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
436 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0420 PM Flash Flood 1 N Greenland 36.00N 94.17W
09/23/2025 Washington AR Public
Water flowing across roadway, outside lane
nearly impassable. From video on Social
Media.
&&
srcPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
446 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0430 PM Flash Flood Prairie Grove 35.98N 94.32W
09/23/2025 Washington AR Public
Water covering intersection in Prairie
Grove, several inches deep. From video on
Social Media.
&&
srcSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
448 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
OKZ072-074-076-232215-
Haskell OK-Sequoyah OK-Le Flore OK-
448 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN HASKELL...
SOUTHWESTERN SEQUOYAH AND NORTH CENTRAL LE FLORE COUNTIES THROUGH 515
PM CDT...
At 448 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Stigler, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Kanima... Sallisaw...
Keota... Tamaha...
Stigler... Cowlington...
This includes Interstate 40 in Oklahoma between mile markers 302 and
308.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southeastern
and east central Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3522 9470 3518 9516 3528 9521 3530 9520
3531 9519 3530 9518 3532 9517 3533 9518
3550 9477
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 249DEG 29KT 3525 9511
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
69Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
449 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
ARZ010-011-019-020-232215-
Madison AR-Washington AR-Franklin AR-Crawford AR-
449 PM CDT Tue Sep 23 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN MADISON...NORTHERN
FRANKLIN...EASTERN CRAWFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES
THROUGH 515 PM CDT...
At 448 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area to 4 miles
southwest of St. Paul to near Devils Den State Park. Movement was
southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
is possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Jethro... Cass...
Dyer... Bidville...
Red Star... Kingston...
Mountainburg... Blackburn...
Crosses... Winslow...
Combs... Locke...
Turners Bend... Mount Gayler...
Lonelm... Boston...
Wyola... Dutton...
Mulberry... Barnes...
This includes the following highways,
Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 17 and 36.
Interstate 49 between mile markers 27 and 46.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
and west central Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3595 9349 3593 9349 3592 9351 3588 9351
3588 9352 3576 9352 3577 9370 3554 9370
3544 9410 3580 9442 3591 9387 3608 9347
3608 9345 3597 9345
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 298DEG 20KT 3597 9343 3577 9382 3575 9425
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHThe Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:53 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
The Oklahoma Mesonet station near Stigler measured thunderstorm wind gusts up to 61 mph.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew off much of the metal roof from a hospital, blew down several trees and power poles, and snapped large tree limbs.
Half dollar size hail damaged homes and vehicles.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, September 2025
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: 1291487, 1292057, 1292059, 1292061.