Oklahoma, 2026

High Wind in Oklahoma, May 14, 2026

May 14, 2026 · NWS AMA · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Scattered thunderstorms moved across the combined Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. These storms lacked the instability and shear to produce large hail, but the nature of a dry surface layer allowed for storms to produce severe winds in excess of 60 mph across the region.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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
$5,000
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 AMA wrote it up.

Scattered thunderstorms moved across the combined Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. These storms lacked the instability and shear to produce large hail, but the nature of a dry surface layer allowed for storms to produce severe winds in excess of 60 mph across the region. In addition, these storms produced very little rainfall and lightning induced numerous fires across the region.

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 Amarillo, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 14, 5:09 PM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 1256 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026
  • Elevated to critical fire weather conditions expected to persist through the weekend. High-end critical conditions are expected Sunday and Monday due to higher wind speeds.
  • Severe storms may be possible Sunday and Monday in the eastern Panhandles depending on the location of a dryline.
Area forecast discussion, May 14, 5:09 PM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
609 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1256 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

- Elevated to critical fire weather conditions expected to persist
  through the weekend. High-end critical conditions are expected
  Sunday and Monday due to higher wind speeds.

- Severe storms may be possible Sunday and Monday in the eastern
  Panhandles depending on the location of a dryline.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 354 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

Widely scattered thunderstorms have formed across the central and
western TX Panhandle and the OK Panhandle this afternoon. With
very dry conditions in the low levels across the area, not much
rainfall is expected from these storms. The dry low levels will
promote the potential for very strong wind gusts, some of which
may be destructive wind gusts up to 80 mph. Due to this concern, a
Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the entire Texas and
Oklahoma Panhandles through 10 PM this evening. Minor forecast
adjustments have been made to account for the watch issuance and
the latest radar trends.

Muscha

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Friday night)
Issued at 1256 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

Dry air at the surface is expected once again this afternoon. A
surface boundary with some slight convergence is progged to run
SSW to NNE dividing parts of the eastern combined Panhandles from
the west. East of the boundary slightly higher Tds will keep
minimum RH values in the 20 to 30 percent range while the west
sees RH values in the 12 to 20 percent range. Despite the higher
RH values in the east this is the area likely to see critical fire
weather conditions this afternoon as winds are expected to be
higher in the 15 to 25 mph range. This afternoon a mid level
shortwave will move into the area colliding with increased H7
theta-e advection. This will help kick off some scattered
afternoon/evening thunderstorms. With a dry surface layer, DCAPE
values are progged to be in the 1500-1800 J/Kg range adding to
concerns for severe wind gusts that could potentially exceed 80
mph. With the lack of moisture and such high bases to these storms
expected, little precipitation is expected and should limit
overall hail growth as well. Current CAMs runs suggest storms
starting in the west and moving east through the late afternoon
into early evening. Potentially with a second or third round. With
low precipitation storms, dry lightning is a concern for fire
starts today.

Thunderstorm activity should conclude by 10 PM tonight with maybe
a lingering isolated virga shower somewhere in the area. Surface
winds in the eastern Panhandles may hang on to breezy south to
southeasterly winds in the 15 to 20 mph range while the west sees
winds fall to near 10 mph. A surface low is expected to develop
over the northwest Panhandles into SE CO and NE NM. This low is
expected to keep winds near 15 to maybe 20 mph for parts of the
eastern Panhandles out of the south for Friday afternoon. The
northwestern Panhandles are expected to see more northerly winds
NW of the low. Although chances are really low, would not
completely rule out some isolated pop up showers/storms in the
east tomorrow as well. PoPs may only be around 10 with such low
probabilities of measuring 0.01".

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through next Wednesday)
Issued at 1256 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

Dry and hot conditions continue through Saturday, with maybe some
elevated fire weather conditions continuing in the southwestern TX
Panhandle. An upper level system will approach the Panhandles
Sunday bringing with it stronger winds increasing the likelihood
of widespread critical fire weather conditions. This system may
bring even stronger winds Monday. Probability of gusts exceeding
50 mph increase into the 20 to 60 percent range on Monday for the
northwestern half of the combined Panhandles. Also, for Sunday and
Monday, severe storms will be a possibility in the far eastern
combined Panhandles depending on where a dryline sets up.

This aforementioned system will also bring some cooler air for Tue
and beyond. Afternoon temperatures in the 90s to even lower 100s
in some areas, will lower into the 80s for Tue and Wed. PoPs
remain low through the long term mainly relying on the afternoon
heat to dry convection. However, there are some hints that that
may change going into Wed night.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 552 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

Scattered storms will linger around TAF sites to start the 00z
period, but should clear all sites by 8 PM. Amendments may be
needed for any unexpected new development. Winds will be erratic
over the next 24 hrs as a front moves through the area and
retreats, but wind speeds should stay between 10-20 kts for a
majority of the period.

Harrel

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1256 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

Elevated to low end critical fire weather conditions will continue
into the weekend. Sunday and Monday will be the big days to watch
as winds are expected to ramp up. RFTIs may reach as high as 7
especially in the west. A 10 to maybe 20 percent chances exist in
the northwest Panhandles to surpass 50 mph gusts on Sunday.
Monday those probabilities pick up to 40 to 60 percent with a
probability around 20 percent for Amarillo on Monday.

&&

.AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for TXZ003>005-009-
     010-014-015-019-020.

OK...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for OKZ002-003.

&&

SHORT TERM...03
LONG TERM....03
AVIATION...38
Hazardous weather outlook, May 14, 12:38 PM CST, 6 hours 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
138 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

OKZ001>003-TXZ001>020-317-150645-
Cimarron-Texas-Beaver-Dallam-Sherman-Hansford-Ochiltree-Lipscomb-
Hartley-Moore-Hutchinson-Roberts-Hemphill-Oldham-Potter-Carson-
Gray-Wheeler-Deaf Smith-Randall-Armstrong-Donley-Collingsworth-
Palo Duro Canyon-
138 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Texas and Oklahoma
Panhandles.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Thunderstorms are possible across the Panhandles this afternoon
through this evening. Some of the storms may be severe, with
damaging wind gusts being the primary hazard in addition to
lightning.

Elevated to critical fire weather conditions are expected across
the area this afternoon through this evening. A Red Flag Warning
has been issued for the eastern Panhandles due to the anticipated
critical fire weather threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Thunderstorms will be possible each afternoon into evening, Friday
through Sunday. Thunderstorm activity will primarily favor the
eastern combined Panhandles.

Critical fire weather conditions will be possible on Sunday and
Monday across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 14, 4:45 PM CST, 2 hours 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
545 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0528 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ESE Pampa             35.54N 100.93W
05/14/2026  M59 MPH          Gray               TX   Mesonet

            Wind gust of 59 MPH measured at WT Mesonet
            site 2 miles ESE of Pampa, TX.

&&

RLF
Special weather statement, May 14, 5:07 PM CST, 1 hour 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
607 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

OKZ002-003-150000-
Texas OK-Beaver OK-
607 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN BEAVER AND EASTERN TEXAS
COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM CDT...

At 607 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles northwest of Hooker to 4 miles east of
Hardesty. Movement was east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Hooker, Tyrone, Bryans Corner, Baker, Adams, Boyd, Turpin, Floris,
and Balko.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
the Panhandle of Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3650 10054 3652 10112 3700 10144 3700 10075
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 256DEG 28KT 3696 10135 3660 10111

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Ward
Special weather statement, May 14, 5:11 PM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
611 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

OKZ003-TXZ005-150015-
Beaver OK-Lipscomb TX-
611 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BEAVER AND NORTHERN
LIPSCOMB COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM CDT...

At 610 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles northwest of Slapout, or 15 miles southeast of Beaver, moving
east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Gate, Elmwood, and Slapout.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
the Panhandle of Oklahoma...and the Panhandle of Texas.

&&

LAT...LON 3649 10053 3676 10069 3690 10000 3644 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 256DEG 27KT 3672 10026

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Ward
Local storm report, May 14, 5:13 PM CST, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
613 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0601 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 ENE Mclean            35.24N 100.57W
05/14/2026  M61 MPH          Gray               TX   Mesonet

            Wind gust of 61 MPH measured at the WT
            Mesonet site 1 mile ENE of Mclean, TX.

&&

RLF
Local storm report, May 14, 5:19 PM CST, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
619 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0614 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     9 NNE Sunray            36.14N 101.78W
05/14/2026  M68 MPH          Sherman            TX   Mesonet

            68 MPH gust measured at the WT Mesonet site
            9 miles NNE of Sunray, TX.

&&

RLF
Special weather statement, May 14, 5:20 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
620 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

OKZ002-142345-
Texas OK-
620 PM CDT Thu May 14 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS COUNTY
THROUGH 645 PM CDT...

At 620 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles north of Texhoma, or 17 miles west of Guymon, moving northeast
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Guymon and Goodwell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
the Panhandle of Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3651 10185 3664 10190 3684 10159 3656 10135
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 246DEG 26KT 3659 10178

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Harrel

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Texas

When
May 14, 6:59 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Texas forecast zone
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) measured gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
36.748, -101.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 90 mph gust was measured at the Guymon ASOS in relation to a heat burst. A tin roof was ripped off of a building and scattered across another nearby yard. Additionally, tree limbs and branches were broken around town and some fencing damage occurred. No noted damage occurred at the airport.

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, May 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: 1335725.