Hail in Oklahoma, April 24, 2026

Name: Hail in Oklahoma, April 24, 2026
Start: 2026-04-24T16:23
End: 2026-04-24T16:23
Location: Oklahoma

April 24, 2026 · 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.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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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.

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, an isolated severe thunderstorm across northeast McCurtain County produced large hail in the Cottage community east of Smithville.

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 Apr 24, 3:20 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier. Its 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.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 24, 3:20 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
420 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...New DISCUSSION, SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

.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...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

Sites are prevailing borderline MVFR/VFR conditions. Cigs are
expected to continue to improve slightly ahead of the showers and
thunderstorms later today. Model guidance continues to show
uncertainty on timing. This package includes the most likely onset
of showers, but it is not absolute. When showers begin, expect
some to bring severe hazards. Rain should end early tomorrow
morning, followed by lowering cigs as we approach sunrise. Winds
should shift southeasterly and weaken towards the end of the
period. Fog development is unexpected tomorrow, but that could
change in later packages. /57/

&&

.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...57

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 2:04 PM CST, 2 hours 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
304 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

ARZ050-051-242100-
Howard AR-Sevier AR-
304 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN HOWARD AND
NORTHWESTERN SEVIER COUNTIES UNTIL 4 PM CDT...

At 304 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gillham, or 8 miles north of De Queen, 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...
  Dierks, Gillham and Burg.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3406 9437 3419 9441 3419 9424 3427 9424
      3427 9426 3430 9426 3435 9410 3412 9399
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 254DEG 19KT 3416 9434

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

50

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 2:33 PM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
333 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

ARZ050-051-059-242130-
Little River AR-Sevier AR-Howard AR-
333 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LITTLE RIVER...
SOUTH CENTRAL HOWARD AND CENTRAL SEVIER COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...

At 333 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Horatio, 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...
  Horatio, Lockesburg, Oak Grove, Bellview, Central, Geneva, Silver
  Ridge and Provo.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3394 9442 3399 9443 3410 9409 3387 9401
      3384 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 254DEG 17KT 3392 9434

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

50

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 3:06 PM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
406 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

ARZ060-061-242200-
Hempstead AR-Nevada AR-
406 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL HEMPSTEAD AND
CENTRAL NEVADA COUNTIES UNTIL 5 PM CDT...

At 406 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles northwest of Bodcaw, or 8 miles southeast of Hope, moving east
at 25 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...
  Emmet, Rosston, Bodcaw, Bluff City, Cale, Mount Moriah, Laneburg,
  Morris 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3351 9349 3368 9356 3382 9322 3383 9321
      3382 9321 3382 9320 3381 9319 3381 9318
      3380 9319 3380 9318 3381 9317 3361 9311
      3358 9311
TIME...MOT...LOC 2106Z 252DEG 21KT 3361 9347

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

50

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 3:13 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
413 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

OKZ077-242145-
McCurtain OK-
413 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN MCCURTAIN COUNTY
UNTIL 445 PM CDT...

At 413 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 25
miles north of Broken Bow, or 31 miles northwest of De Queen, 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...
  Smithville, Watson, Sherwood, Plunketville and Mount Herman.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3444 9486 3451 9464 3451 9446 3433 9447
      3427 9481
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 252DEG 21KT 3438 9471

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

50

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 4:03 PM CST, 20 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
503 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

ARZ061-072-242300-
Columbia AR-Nevada AR-
503 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN COLUMBIA AND
SOUTHEASTERN NEVADA COUNTIES UNTIL 6 PM CDT...

At 503 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Waldo, moving east at 15 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...
  Waldo, McNeil, Willisville, College Hill, Lamartine, Waterloo,
  Young and Medlock.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 3334 9339 3342 9339 3342 9338 3343 9338
      3344 9337 3344 9338 3351 9338 3362 9311
      3338 9312 3338 9298 3333 9298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 262DEG 13KT 3342 9331

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

50

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:21 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, McCurtain

When: April 24, 4:23 PM CST
Where: McCurtain County, 2.15 mi NNE of Watson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.460, -94.540

Hail up to quarter size covered the ground in the Cottage community east of Smithville.

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 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, April 2026

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: 1331752.