A severe weather episode, with widespread reports of large to very large hail and a tornado, impacted portions of northern Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 17th. Numerous supercells developed along a trailing cold front, with strong wind shear and instability promoting hail sizes as large as tennis ball to just smaller than softball with multiple thunderstorms.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 OUN wrote it up.
A severe weather episode, with widespread reports of large to very large hail and a tornado, impacted portions of northern Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 17th. Numerous supercells developed along a trailing cold front, with strong wind shear and instability promoting hail sizes as large as tennis ball to just smaller than softball with multiple thunderstorms. A more organized supercell also produced a tornado on the south side of Ponca City, continuing into portions of Osage County (see NWS Tulsa writeup for more information). Additional thunderstorm activity continued into the late evening and early morning hours of the 18th, focusing along a southeastward advancing cold front. This portion of the event featured mainly occasional damaging wind gusts and small hail.
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 Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 17, 5:30 PM CST, 4 hours 56 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
630 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 626 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
- Severe storms, a few significant, are expected through this
afternoon and tonight.
- Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are possible
across parts of northwest and western Oklahoma into next week.
- Dry and cooler weather this weekend with a freeze possible
Sunday morning (western and northern Oklahoma).
&&
.NEAR TERM...
(Rest of today and tonight)
Issued at 152 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
Severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening over
northern Oklahoma ahead of a cold front, with isolate and discrete
supercells possible ahead of the dryline this afternoon. Convective
initiation has already begun in Roger Mills, Woods, and Kay Counties,
although capping appears to remain farther east and south into central
Oklahoma.
The cold front has already moved into northwest Oklahoma but is
anticipated to slow in forward progression as a surface low nears
the 100th meridian. With MLCAPE and 0-6km bulk shear values prog'd
to rise to 3000-3500 J/kg and 50-75kts, hail up to the size of softballs
are possible across parts of northwest and western Oklahoma. While
models have consistently depicted storms developing along the cold
front and growing upscale across northern Oklahoma, they have been
meager on storm development ahead of the dryline in western Oklahoma.
However, there has been a noticeable increase in depicted supercells
(mainly isolated) ahead of the dryline this afternoon and evening,
especially near Roger Mills, Dewey, Custer Counties, where the triple
point is prog'd. With CI underway, it appears this scenario is beginning
to play out. Uncertainty remains if storms will fire farther south
ahead of the dryline.
Most of our FA is still significantly capped, with the exception of
a narrow zone ahead of the frontal boundaries and CAMS seem to keep
it capped as storms advance towards central Oklahoma. Expectation is
for storms to become elevated with the cold front this evening while
growing upscale and becoming a damaging wind threat and perhaps a few
QLCS tornadoes. Line of storms is anticipated to reach the I-40 corridor
between 8 PM and 11 PM.
As the front continues southward, strong northerly winds increase by
late evening, particularly over western/southwestern Oklahoma and
adjacent north Texas. Severe wind gusts are possible in this area,
but whether they are a result of convection or not, remains unclear.
Regardless, duration of this appears to be an hour or two. Storms are
anticipated to exit our area by 3 AM to 5 AM.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Saturday through Sunday night)
Issued at 152 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The cold front and showers/storms are expected to clear the FA just
before dawn. By this time, post-frontal winds will be strongest
closer to the Red River with gusts of 30-40 mph possible, and
morning low temperatures will be chilly (40's to low-50's). A cool,
dry airmass will be in place for Saturday with afternoon high
temperatures mainly in the 60's. The surface high will depart the
Rockies and transit our area by Saturday evening with winds becoming
light/variable on Saturday night and generally shifting to the
south/southwest by Sunday morning. Clear skies and light winds will
lead to near freezing temperatures for some locales on Sunday
morning.
By this time, an upper ridge is positioned over the western CONUS. A
shortwave embedded within the northwest flow will prompt weak
cyclogenesis on the lee-side of the Rockies, and this will result in
south and southwest winds increasing to 20-25mph across northwest
and western Oklahoma by Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, pleasant spring
weather is expected on Sunday with sunny skies and high temperatures
in the 70's.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Thursday)
Issued at 147 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
Medium-range guidance is in good agreement with a mid-level ridge
dominating the Plains through most of the long term. Overall,
mainly dry conditions are expected at least through the middle of
the week, with highs generally in the 70s. A low amplitude
shortwave trough is expected move across portions of
Texas/southern Oklahoma on Monday with height rises and ridging in
the wake of this feature on Tuesday. This will result in low rain
chances across mainly southern Oklahoma and western north Texas
on Monday with mainly dry conditions on Tuesday.
Confidence is beginning to increase in our next major system
arriving Thursday with storm potential ramping back up during this
timeframe. This will be a day to keep an eye out for in the
coming days.
Bunker
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 630 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms continues to move
southeast across northern Oklahoma. These storms will continue to
move southeast tonight. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and
ceiling/visibility reductions are expected.
Ahead of the front, gusty southerly winds will continue. As the
front moves through, winds will shift to the north and remain
gusty. Northerly winds will remain gusty through the TAF period.
Mahale
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK 45 64 40 73 / 90 0 0 0
Hobart OK 44 68 37 75 / 50 0 0 0
Wichita Falls TX 49 69 39 74 / 50 0 0 0
Gage OK 36 67 35 76 / 20 0 0 0
Ponca City OK 42 64 38 73 / 100 0 0 0
Durant OK 51 66 42 72 / 80 20 0 0
&&
.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for OKZ004-005-009-
010-014>016-021-022.
Wind Advisory until 8 AM CDT Saturday for OKZ004>007-009>012-
014>019-021>025-027>029-033>038-044.
TX...Wind Advisory until 8 AM CDT Saturday for TXZ083>086.
&&
NEAR TERM...01
SHORT TERM...01
LONG TERM....13
AVIATION...10Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
944 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0920 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Mulhall 36.06N 97.35W
04/17/2026 Payne OK Broadcast Media
Semi overturned on I-35.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
1015 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0955 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SE Hobart 35.00N 99.06W
04/17/2026 M60 MPH Kiowa OK ASOS
&&
EMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1016 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
OKZ022>024-034>036-180345-
Kiowa OK-Washita OK-Canadian OK-Caddo OK-Greer OK-Jackson OK-
1016 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Washita,
northern Caddo, northeastern Jackson, northern Kiowa, southeastern
Greer and southern Canadian Counties through 1045 PM CDT...
At 1016 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms near
Mangum, 4 miles northeast of Hobart and 5 miles southwest of Hinton.
Movement was east-northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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...
El Reno, Hobart, Mangum, Hinton, Granite, Carnegie, Blair, Mountain
View, Binger, Corn, Lone Wolf, Eakly, Roosevelt, Gotebo, Lookeba,
Rocky, Colony, Bridgeport, Cloud Chief, and Warren.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3547 9868 3546 9862 3554 9856 3561 9779
3474 9918 3473 9967 3477 9972
TIME...MOT...LOC 0316Z 254DEG 34KT 3484 9953 3509 9905 3543 9843
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
..speg.Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1041 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
OKZ022-023-034>036-038-180415-
Kiowa OK-Washita OK-Caddo OK-Greer OK-Comanche OK-Jackson OK-
1041 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Washita,
northwestern Comanche, southern Caddo, northern Jackson, Kiowa and
southeastern Greer Counties through 1115 PM CDT...
At 1040 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Mountain View to 3 miles southeast of
Duke. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Altus, Anadarko, Hobart, Carnegie, Blair, Mountain View, Fort Cobb,
Lone Wolf, Mountain Park, Gracemont, Roosevelt, Gotebo, Martha,
Headrick, Friendship, Cooperton, Altus Air Force Base, Tom Steed
Reservoir, Cloud Chief, and Warren.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3472 9966 3528 9883 3525 9810 3511 9810
3464 9901 3455 9966
TIME...MOT...LOC 0340Z 277DEG 30KT 3507 9873 3463 9953
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MahalePreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
1045 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1035 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 S Altus 34.60N 99.33W
04/17/2026 M59 MPH Jackson OK Mesonet
&&
EMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1107 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
OKZ036-TXZ083>085-180445-
Jackson OK-Foard TX-Wilbarger TX-Hardeman TX-
1107 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Jackson,
northern Foard, west central Wilbarger and Hardeman Counties through
1145 PM CDT...
At 1107 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking the leading edge of winds
from strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 13 miles
northeast of Chalk to 6 miles west of Medicine Mound to 3 miles
southwest of Fargo. Movement was southeast at 35 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...
Vernon, Quanah, Crowell, Chillicothe, Eldorado, Margaret, Goodlett,
Lockett, Medicine Mound, Oklaunion, Lazare, Rayland, and Copper
Breaks State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3423 10005 3424 10001 3423 10000 3440 10000
3450 9965 3413 9911 3386 10005
TIME...MOT...LOC 0407Z 307DEG 31KT 3396 10002 3420 9970 3427 9933
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MahaleThe Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:22 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Goodlett (GOOD) Mesonet observation. Severe (>50-knot) wind gusts occurred during the event time, with the peak wind gust of 51 knots occurring at 2227 LST.
Goodlett (GOOD) Mesonet observation.
Comanche Springs (COMA) Mesonet observation.
Comanche Springs (COMA) Mesonet observation.
A tractor-trailer was overturned (and rolled) on U.S. Highway 287 due to thunderstorm winds. Details on this event were relayed through local broadcast media.
A video showing a large tree split in half was shared on social media. The event time is estimated based on radar observations.
Sheppard Air Force Base/Wichita Falls Municipal Airport (KSPS) observation.
Sheppard Air Force Base/Wichita Falls Municipal Airport (KSPS) observation.
Sheppard Air Force Base/Wichita Falls Municipal Airport (KSPS) observation.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Wichita | 2026-04-17 | 43 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Wichita | 2026-04-17 | 31 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, 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: 1334903, 1334905, 1334910, 1334911, 1334912, 1334913, 1334005, 1334008, 1334010.