Strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and through the evening on April 24th as a cold front advanced from Southeast Oklahoma into the Ark-La-Tex. Intersecting this front was an outflow boundary, which moved west southwest out of Arkansas toward Northeast Texas and Northern Louisiana.
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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.
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and through the evening on April 24th as a cold front advanced from Southeast Oklahoma into the Ark-La-Tex. Intersecting this front was an outflow boundary, which moved west southwest out of Arkansas toward Northeast Texas and Northern Louisiana. This same boundary was slow in advancing and showed signs of stalling across Southeast Oklahoma just ahead of the cold front. Low-level shear in this area was sufficient to support strong updrafts with 0-1 km storm-relative helicity (SRH) over 100 m2/s2. The air mass was very moist and unstable with deep-layer shear around 50 knots, further aiding storm longevity. As a result, a few severe thunderstorms produced damaging wind gusts across parts of Hempstead County in Southwest Arkansas.
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 Apr 24, 5:36 PM CST, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Shreveport LA 636 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 355 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026 - Warm and moist southerly flow ahead of a front will promote strong instability across our region this afternoon into the evening with an expanding severe threat during this timeframe. - An active weather period is expected through this weekend into early next week, including daily severe weather chances across much of the region late Saturday and possibly through Monday. - Some Uncertainty exists for the middle of next week, but there is the potential for an active southwesterly flow pattern to develop, keeping rain chances across the region. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 355 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026 A decaying line of convection from morning storms ahead of a cold front continues to push southward into Southeast Oklahoma and Southwest/South-Central Arkansas at this current hour. We are starting to see some convection reform along this remnant activity, which could become a concern, as there is a very unstable atmosphere in place across the region. On the KSHV 18z sounding, mid-level lapse rates were over 8 C/km, with Sfc based CAPE over 2500 J/Kg. There is also sufficient 0-1 km SRH over the area along with 40 kt of Deep layer shear. In addition to this, the aforementioned cold front continues to slowly push southeastward across Central Oklahoma towards our area. Strong to severe convection has already started to fire along that boundary. Because of these concerns, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch through 9 PM for Southeast Oklahoma, Northeast Texas, and adjacent SW Arkansas. This area generally covers our I-30 corridor, but remains north of I-20. An additional watch is probable downstream later today, as convection is expected to form into a MCS and push south into the region during the evening hours. All modes of severe weather will be in play, including hail over 2" and a isolated tornado or two of at least EF2 strength. The front is expected to stall near the Arkansas/Louisiana border, back across East Texas near the I-30 corridor. Convection is expected to diminish overnight, but it's not out of the question to see some additional convection during the late morning and early afternoon hours along the stalled front or remnant mesoscale boundaries. However, Saturday night is where we expect our next round of severe convection. The front is expected to lift northward during the afternoon hours. Additional convection is expected to form along the lifting front, eventually forming into a cluster of storms. This cluster is expected to shift southeastward back into our forecast area during the late evening hours and predawn hours on Sunday. A very unstable atmosphere will still be in place over the region, so all modes of severe weather should be in play again. We may see a brief quiet period starting on Sunday afternoon as weak upper ridging tries to build over the area. But, another front will move into the region on Monday, bringing another round of convection. We can't rule out some additional strong to severe thunderstorms with this system. Beyond Monday, uncertainty remains in the forecast. Long-term models continue to hint at upper ridging over the region, but the location of the ridge will play a vital role in our weather conditions. If the center of the ridge settles across the Central Gulf, it would essentially put our forecast zones in a potentially active southwest flow pattern, with rain chances remaining across the region. However, if the ridge is farther north, we would see drier conditions over the area. Please continue to monitor the forecast for updates. /20/ && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 626 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026 For the 25/00Z TAFs, showers and thunderstorms are impacting ArkLaTex airspace from several directions. Across southwest Arkansas and north central Louisiana, scattered storms are bringing periods of heavy rain and gusty winds to KELD and KMLU. Meanwhile, a line of strong thunderstorms is moving southeast out of Oklahoma, and will bring impacts to the ArkLaTex through the evening hours, particularly along and north of I-20 from KTXK to KSHV and east into Louisiana and southwest Arkansas. These storms are expected to clear out of the region overnight, followed by CIGs dropping to MVFR and IFR levels by daybreak. VSBY reductions are also possible, but confidence in winds calming sufficiently is not yet high enough to prevail. South winds will become variable in the vicinity of intensifying storms, with locally gusty conditions in excess of 30 kts expected. Light and variable winds will resume in the wake of these storms, at max sustained speeds of 5 to 10 kts late in this forecast period. /26/ && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Issued at 355 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026 Spotter activation will likely be needed on this afternoon into late tonight, and may be necessary at times during this weekend. /20/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 66 87 67 88 / 70 10 60 30 MLU 64 86 66 86 / 70 30 50 50 DEQ 59 81 61 81 / 50 20 80 40 TXK 64 84 66 84 / 70 20 80 40 ELD 60 81 61 83 / 70 20 70 40 TYR 68 88 69 88 / 60 10 40 10 GGG 66 88 67 88 / 70 10 50 20 LFK 69 89 69 90 / 40 10 20 10 && .SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. LA...None. OK...None. TX...None. && DISCUSSION...20 AVIATION...26
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
600 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
LAZ014-242345-
Ouachita LA-
600 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL OUACHITA PARISH
UNTIL 645 PM CDT...
At 600 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Brownsville-Bawcomville, moving 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 damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Monroe, West Monroe, Brownsville-Bawcom, Brownsville-Bawcomville,
Swartz, Richwood, Pine Grove, Millhaven and Lapine.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3238 9225 3247 9228 3258 9192 3257 9193
3254 9192 3254 9191 3252 9190 3249 9193
3246 9195 3245 9194 3243 9196 3242 9198
3241 9198 3240 9199 3238 9200
TIME...MOT...LOC 2300Z 252DEG 24KT 3244 9215
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
603 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
LAZ005-006-250000-
Union LA-Lincoln LA-
603 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN UNION AND NORTHERN
LINCOLN PARISHES UNTIL 7 PM CDT...
At 603 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Grambling, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Dubach, Vienna, Shiloh, Unionville, D Arbonne, Mount Zion and
Corinth.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3259 9275 3272 9280 3288 9247 3264 9238
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 251DEG 15KT 3268 9273
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
19Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
611 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
ARZ060-061-250015-
Hempstead AR-Nevada AR-
611 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HEMPSTEAD AND
SOUTHWESTERN NEVADA COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM CDT...
At 611 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Fulton, or 11 miles southwest of Hope, moving east
at 20 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...
Bodcaw, Patmos and Sutton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3348 9372 3357 9376 3369 9340 3351 9334
3348 9370
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 251DEG 15KT 3353 9369
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
19Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
635 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
LAZ004-250030-
Claiborne LA-
635 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CLAIBORNE PARISH UNTIL
730 PM CDT...
At 635 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles northwest of Homer, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Homer and Antioch.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3276 9318 3287 9323 3299 9290 3282 9283
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 252DEG 15KT 3283 9315
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
19Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
715 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0523 PM Hail 2 NNE Watson 34.46N 94.54W
04/24/2026 M1.00 Inch McCurtain OK Public
Cottage community east of Smithville
reported lots of hail covering the ground,
some stones up to quarter size.
&&
50Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
903 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
LAZ001>003-250245-
Caddo LA-Bossier LA-Webster LA-
903 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CADDO...CENTRAL BOSSIER
AND CENTRAL WEBSTER PARISHES UNTIL 945 PM CDT...
At 903 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Eastwood, or 10 miles north of Bossier City,
moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 30 mph and pea 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...
Minden, Benton, Cotton Valley, Bellevue, Ivan, Linton, Red Chute,
Couchwood and Gilark.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3255 9376 3255 9377 3270 9382 3285 9334
3263 9326
TIME...MOT...LOC 0203Z 251DEG 25KT 3266 9361
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
09The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 145 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:13 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree downed across a highway near the Saratoga community.
Large tree and two power poles snapped in Hope.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, April 2026
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: 1331757, 1331759.