Thunderstorms developed into northwestern Arkansas during the evening of the 18th, as a cold front moved into the area. The strongest storms produced damaging wind gusts.
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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 TSA wrote it up.
Thunderstorms developed into northwestern Arkansas during the evening of the 18th, as a cold front moved into the area. The strongest storms produced 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 Jun 18, 11:38 AM CST, 5 hours 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tulsa OK 1238 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1130 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026 - Limited severe weather threat near OK/KS border this morning, and later this afternoon and overnight south of I-40. Wind and hail are main threats along with at least localized heavy rain. - Advisory level heat and humidity forecast across far SE OK Thursday with heat index values near 105 in some spots. - The unsettled weather pattern continues at least during portions of the weekend into the early part of next week. Sunday night into Monday appears to offer the highest potential of heavy rainfall and severe weather. && .SHORT TERM... (Through tonight ) Issued at 1130 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026 Cold front continues pushing south across northeast OK and into the far northwest corner of AR late this morning, extending roughly along an OKC-FYV line at present. Ongoing scattered convection continues to favor areas near the 925 mb front in a corridor of around 2000 MUCAPE. Short range guidance continues to show an overall downturn in coverage, though some renewal is also indicated near the 850mb front in southern KS. Given the environment these storms continue to pose a limited threat of hail and wind, and with near 2 inch PWATS pooled near the front a threat of locally heavy rain exists as well. Later this afternoon as the front moves into a hot and unstable environment along and south of I-40, some development is possible. CAMs do not produce much, but anything that develops will pose a threat of large hail and damaging downburst winds. Some locations that remain south of the front may approach 105 HI and an advisory remains in effect for far southeast OK. Later this evening and overnight there remains a signal of at least scattered elevated showers and storms north of the front. These do not appear to offer much in the way of severe threat, however thunderstorms that develop near a front/dry line intersection over NW TX, which should grow into an east-moving complex overnight that could affect parts of southeast OK into early Friday morning. This area will likely be the focus of any heavy rainfall and/or severe potential tonight. && .LONG TERM... (Tomorrow through Thursday) Issued at 1130 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026 Aside from a potential ongoing storms through the morning, Friday looks to be relatively dry. Storms chances should return quickly however as the front lifts back north on Saturday though higher probabilities will occur later in the weekend. A potential complex moving across the Central Plains Saturday night could impact northern parts of the local area, but the highest chance of more widespread showers and storms still looks to be Sunday night into Monday as a strong wave in the westerly flow forces a cold front south. Heavy rainfall looks more likely during this period, with areas north of I-40 looking more favored at this time. We may also be impacted by a more organized complex of storms that would offer an uptick in severe potential. The active pattern continues for the foreseeable future with no indications yet of strong ridging building into the Southern Plains region through next week. Rain and thunderstorm chances will continue pretty much daily as a result, but pinning down a time and location of highest potential will be challenging. This will generally keep daytime temps below normal outside of Sunday. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1238 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026 Surface frontal boundary will continue to sag southward through the CWA this afternoon, while the 850-mb boundary remains near the Oklahoma Kansas border. In response, showers/storms remain forecast into this afternoon across parts of northeast Oklahoma and far northwest Arkansas. Will continue with VCSH/Prob30 groups for timing across these TAF sites. Indications remain for afternoon convection to weaken before additional storm chances return overnight tonight into Friday morning. Again, will continue with Prob30 groups for general timing, with the greater potential along and south of Interstate 40. Precip chances begin to taper off from north to south through the morning Friday. Within the convection, gusty winds, heavy rainfall and MVFR conditions are possible. Otherwise, scattered to overcast mid and high clouds are forecast through the TAF period. Winds for the CWA vary from easterly to northerly through the period. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... TUL 67 84 70 86 / 60 20 30 30 FSM 71 85 71 87 / 60 50 40 50 MLC 71 85 72 88 / 60 50 50 40 BVO 63 84 67 85 / 40 10 30 30 FYV 65 84 68 85 / 60 20 30 50 BYV 64 83 66 84 / 40 10 20 50 MKO 68 83 70 85 / 60 40 30 40 MIO 63 85 67 85 / 40 0 30 40 F10 67 83 70 86 / 60 40 40 40 HHW 73 84 72 86 / 60 60 60 50 && .TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for OKZ049-053. AR...None. && SHORT TERM...14 LONG TERM....14 AVIATION...20
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
501 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
ARZ001-002-010-011-119-120-129-219-220-229-OKZ049-053-055>071-
073>075-154-172-176-254-272-276-354-376-192215-
Benton-Carroll-Washington AR-Madison-Northern Crawford-
Northern Franklin-North and Central Sebastian-Southern Crawford-
Central and Southern Franklin-Southern Sebastian-Pushmataha-
Choctaw-Washington OK-Nowata-Craig-Ottawa-Pawnee-Tulsa-Rogers-
Mayes-Delaware-Creek-Okfuskee-Okmulgee-Wagoner-Cherokee-Adair-
Muskogee-McIntosh-Pittsburg-Haskell-Latimer-Western Osage-
Northern Sequoyah-Northern Le Flore-Northeast Osage-
Central and Southern Sequoyah-Central Le Flore-Southeast Osage-
Southern Le Flore-
501 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.
.DAY ONE...Through Tonight.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
RISK...Limited.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
DANGEROUS HEAT.
RISK...Limited.
AREA...Southeastern Oklahoma and West Central Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing...improving after sunset.
DISCUSSION...
A frontal boundary has drifted to near the I-40 corridor this
afternoon. A few thunderstorms will be possible through this
evening along and ahead of the boundary, with a potential for a
strong to severe storm with large hail or damaging wind gusts.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue north of the
front as well. Severe weather is mostly not expected north of the
boundary, but a storm or two may briefly become strong to
marginally severe. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible as
storms redevelop over the same area through the evening.
Hot and humid conditions continue south of the front across
southeast Oklahoma and west central Arkansas, with heat index
values in excess of 100 degree. Conditions will improve after
sunset as temperatures drop off. The frontal boundary will also
slowly sag southward bringing cooler conditions in its wake.
SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Local Spotter Activation May Be Needed.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
SUNDAY...Severe Thunderstorm Potential...High Wind Potential
...Dangerous Heat Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
MONDAY...Severe Thunderstorm Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
An unsettled weather pattern will continue over the next week,
with near daily shower and thunderstorm chances. Some severe
weather threat will exist most days, along with the threat for
locally heavy rainfall. Current indications are that Sunday
afternoon and evening may be the time period with the greatest
threat for severe weather and locally heavy rainfall.
weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
156 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0905 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ESE Delaware 36.77N 95.61W
06/18/2026 M65 MPH Nowata OK Mesonet
Nowata Mesonet.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
214 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OKZ154-181945-
Western Osage OK-
214 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL OSAGE COUNTY
THROUGH 245 PM CDT...
At 213 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 4 miles
southwest of Ponca City, moving east-northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime to 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...
Southern Kaw Lake... Apperson...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3670 9703 3669 9700 3669 9693 3672 9692
3675 9689 3674 9683 3677 9682 3677 9679
3678 9679 3678 9675 3663 9675 3658 9700
3659 9705 3660 9704 3668 9706
TIME...MOT...LOC 1913Z 257DEG 25KT 3666 9711
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
247 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OKZ154-182015-
Western Osage OK-
247 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN OSAGE COUNTY THROUGH
315 PM CDT...
At 246 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from Kaw Lake to near Burbank. Movement was east at 25
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime to 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...
Shidler... Burbank...
Southern Kaw Lake... Webb City...
Apperson...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3669 9698 3669 9693 3672 9692 3675 9689
3674 9683 3676 9682 3677 9682 3677 9679
3678 9679 3678 9675 3684 9675 3687 9666
3663 9654 3658 9686
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 257DEG 22KT 3673 9692 3669 9676
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
309 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OKZ154-254-182045-
Western Osage OK-Northeast Osage OK-
309 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN OSAGE COUNTY THROUGH
345 PM CDT...
At 309 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 4 miles west of Shidler to 8 miles east of
Burbank. Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and dime to 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...
Pawhuska... Shidler...
Burbank... Foraker...
Pearsonia... Webb City...
Apperson...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3664 9617 3661 9667 3677 9680 3677 9679
3678 9679 3678 9675 3688 9675 3693 9645
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 253DEG 28KT 3679 9674 3669 9657
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
354 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OKZ055-254-182130-
Northeast Osage OK-Washington OK-
354 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN OSAGE AND NORTHERN
WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM CDT...
At 354 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 3 miles
west of Sunset Lake, moving east at 20 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...
Bartlesville... Pawhuska...
Bigheart... Osage Hills State Park...
Bartlesville Municipal Airport... Hulah...
Okesa... Sunset Lake...
Wah Sha She State Park...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3699 9600 3671 9592 3668 9636 3686 9642
3688 9641
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 257DEG 19KT 3679 9630
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
533 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
ARZ129-219-182300-
Southern Crawford AR-North and Central Sebastian AR-
533 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CRAWFORD AND
NORTHWESTERN SEBASTIAN COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...
At 533 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near Van
Buren, moving south at 20 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...
Fort Smith... Van Buren...
Barling... Lavaca...
Fort Smith Regional Airport... Jenny Lind...
Central City... Concord...
Shibley... Mill Creek...
Rye Hill... Furry...
This includes the following highways,
Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 0 and 10.
Interstate 540 between mile markers 1 and 14.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3522 9440 3530 9444 3532 9443 3538 9443
3546 9444 3551 9428 3529 9416
TIME...MOT...LOC 2233Z 341DEG 16KT 3541 9436
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHThe Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 11 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:50 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree near the intersection of Waldron Road and Grand Avenue.
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, June 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: 1342431.