Severe Weather Report: United States, Past 24 Hours, Ending 1200 UTC May 18, 2025.
- Bob Cox
- May 18
- 6 min read
This report summarizes severe weather events across the United States over the past 24 hours, based on provided data from tornado, hail, and wind reports. The report is organized by weather type, with geographic and temporal details, followed by a summary of impacts and notable patterns.
1. Tornado Reports
Overview
One confirmed tornado was reported in the past 24 hours.
Details
Time: 2228 EDT, May 17, 2025
Location: 1 NNE Whitebead, Garvin County, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 34.78°N, 97.30°W
Comments: A tornado developed just west of Interstate 35 near the Washita River bridge and moved east across the interstate. Reported by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman, OK (OUN).
Impact: No specific damage details were provided, but tornadoes crossing major highways like I-35 can disrupt traffic and pose significant risks to infrastructure and safety.
2. Hail Reports
Overview
Hail was reported in multiple states, with 66 incidents documented. Hail sizes ranged from 1.00 inch (quarter-sized) to 4.00 inches (softball-sized), with the largest hail reported in Oklahoma. Affected states included New York, Vermont, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Alabama, and others.
Notable Hail Events
Largest Hail:
Time: 0322 EDT, May 18, 2025
Location: 5 N Stella, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 35.38°N, 97.21°W
Size: 4.00 inches (softball-sized)
Comments: Reported near I-40 and Peebly Road (OUN).
Time: 2241 EDT, May 17, 2025
Location: 9 SW Runaway Bay, Jack County, Texas
Coordinates: 33.09°N, 97.99°W
Size: 3.25 inches (storm chaser photo)
Comments: Hail stone measured approximately 3.25 inches long by 2.5 inches wide in Joplin (FWD).
Time: 2153 EDT, May 17, 2025
Location: 3 E Tuttle, Grady County, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 35.30°N, 97.76°W
Size: 2.75 inches (baseball-sized)
Comments: Reported via mPING (OUN).
Other Significant Hail:
Oklahoma: Multiple reports of hail ≥2.00 inches, including:
2.75 inches in Mustang, Canadian County (2203 EDT)
2.25 inches in Warr Acres, Oklahoma County (2212 EDT)
2.25 inches in Dale, Pottawatomie County (0335 EDT)
Texas: Baseball-sized hail (2.75 inches) 1 SW Runaway Bay, Wise County (2253 EDT)
Arkansas: 2.00-inch hail 1 ESE Strong, Union County (2112 EDT)
Mississippi: 2.25-inch hail in Raymond, Hinds County (1852 EDT)
Vermont: Golf ball-sized hail (1.75 inches) in Charlotte, Chittenden County (1840 EDT) and Stowe Fork, Lamoille County (1942 EDT)
Geographic Distribution
Oklahoma: 25 reports, primarily in central areas (Grady, Canadian, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie counties), with sizes up to 4.00 inches.
Texas: 11 reports, concentrated in northern counties (Jack, Wise, Cooke, Palo Pinto, Hill), with sizes up to 3.25 inches.
Vermont: 7 reports, mainly in Chittenden and Lamoille counties, with sizes up to 1.75 inches.
New York: 6 reports, in Monroe, Schenectady, Saratoga, and Oneida counties, mostly 1.00-inch hail.
New Hampshire: 4 reports, in Grafton County, with sizes up to 1.50 inches.
Arkansas: 4 reports, in Union, Atoka, Clark, and Conway counties, with sizes up to 2.00 inches.
Mississippi, Massachusetts, Alabama: Scattered reports with sizes up to 2.25 inches (MS) and 1.25 inches (AL, MA).
Temporal Distribution
Hail reports began at 1654 EDT on May 17 (Scottsville, NY) and continued through 1102 EDT on May 18 (Hoover, AL).
Peak activity occurred between 2100–2300 EDT on May 17, with numerous reports in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.
Impacts
Large hail (≥2.00 inches) can cause significant damage to vehicles, roofs, windows, and crops. The 4.00-inch hail in Oklahoma and 3.25-inch hail in Texas likely caused localized property damage.
No specific injuries or economic losses were detailed, but hail of this size poses risks to safety and infrastructure.
3. Wind Reports
Overview
Wind damage was reported in 92 incidents across multiple states, including Vermont, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nevada, New Hampshire, Alabama, and Mississippi. Wind speeds ranged from estimated 58 mph to 75 mph, with most reports involving downed trees, power lines, and minor structural damage.
Notable Wind Events
Highest Measured Wind Gusts:
Time: 1020 EDT, May 18, 2025
Location: Scranton, Logan County, Arkansas
Coordinates: 35.36°N, 93.54°W
Speed: 75 mph
Comments: Reported by NWS Little Rock (LZK).
Time: 0057 EDT, May 18, 2025
Location: Wardville, Atoka County, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 34.65°N, 96.03°W
Speed: 73 mph
Comments: Reported by NWS Norman (OUN).
Time: 2242 EDT, May 17, 2025
Location: 9 SW Runaway Bay, Jack County, Texas
Coordinates: 33.09°N, 98.00°W
Speed: 70 mph (estimated)
Comments: Reported in Joplin (FWD).
Time: 2150 EDT, May 17, 2025
Location: Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah
Coordinates: 40.56°N, 112.48°W
Speed: 67 mph
Comments: Measured at Grantsville South, 4630 ft (SLC).
Significant Damage Reports:
Texas:
Denison, Grayson County (0027 EDT): Numerous trees down, widespread power outages (FWD).
Paradise, Wise County (2245 EDT): Numerous trees down, some outbuildings damaged (FWD).
Whitney, Hill County (2241 EDT): Roof and awning damage on Jefferson St. (FWD).
New York:
East Rochester, Monroe County (1710 EDT): Large tree down blocking NY Route 441, power pole broken (BUF).
Weedsport, Cayuga County (1817 EDT): Multiple reports of trees and wires down (BUF).
Vermont:
Hartford, Windsor County (2212 EDT): Trees and power lines down in the village (BTV).
Northfield Falls, Washington County (1314–1320 EDT): Tree down on Berlin Pond Road (BTV).
Arkansas:
Paris, Logan County (1005 EDT): Trees down, estimated 65 mph gusts (LZK).
Russellville, Pope County (1045 EDT): Trees down (LZK).
Mississippi:
Valley Hill, Carroll County (0810 EDT): Trees and power poles snapped, possible tornado (JAN).
Carrollton, Carroll County (0818 EDT): Trees down on Hwy 17 (JAN).
Geographic Distribution
Texas: 13 reports, primarily in northern counties (Wise, Grayson, Cooke, Hill), with tree and structural damage.
New York: 16 reports, concentrated in Monroe, Ontario, Cayuga, and Onondaga counties, mostly tree and wire damage.
Vermont: 11 reports, in Chittenden, Clinton, Essex, and Washington counties, with trees and power lines down.
Arkansas: 8 reports, in Sebastian, Logan, Johnson, and Pope counties, with tree damage and power outages.
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Nevada, Alabama, Mississippi, Utah, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wyoming, Louisiana: Scattered reports with tree, wire, and minor structural damage.
Temporal Distribution
Wind reports began at 1314 EDT on May 17 (Northfield Falls, VT) and continued through 1114 EDT on May 18 (Mountain Brook, AL).
Peak activity occurred between 1800–2300 EDT on May 17, with widespread reports in New York, Vermont, and Texas.
Impacts
Tree and Power Line Damage: The majority of reports involved downed trees and power lines, leading to road closures (e.g., NY Route 441 in East Rochester, NY) and power outages (e.g., Denison, TX).
Structural Damage: Minor damage included roofs and awnings in Whitney, TX, and outbuildings in Paradise, TX. A tree fell on a house in Jordan, NY, and another in Jefferson County, AL.
Possible Tornado: Tree and power pole damage in Valley Hill, MS, was noted as a possible tornado, pending further investigation.
Transportation: Trees blocking highways (e.g., Hwy 17 in Mississippi, Hwy 114 in Texas) likely caused temporary disruptions.
Summary and Analysis
Weather Patterns
The severe weather was driven by a dynamic weather system producing strong thunderstorms across multiple regions:
Central U.S. (Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas): A volatile environment with warm, moist air and strong upper-level dynamics led to supercell thunderstorms, producing large hail (up to 4.00 inches), a tornado, and damaging winds (up to 75 mph). Oklahoma and northern Texas were hotspots for the most intense hail and wind events.
Northeast (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts): A separate system brought severe thunderstorms with quarter- to golf ball-sized hail and damaging winds, primarily causing tree and power line damage. The storms were likely associated with a cold front or low-pressure system.
Southeast (Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia): Scattered thunderstorms produced large hail (up to 2.25 inches) and wind damage, with a possible tornado in Mississippi.
West (Utah, Nevada, Wyoming): Isolated thunderstorms generated strong wind gusts (up to 73 mph), likely due to outflow from convective storms in a dry environment.
Impacts
Property Damage: Large hail in Oklahoma and Texas likely caused significant damage to vehicles, homes, and crops. Wind damage across multiple states resulted in downed trees, power outages, and minor structural damage.
Safety Risks: The tornado in Oklahoma, large hail, and falling trees posed risks to public safety, particularly along highways.
Economic Impact: While specific costs are not provided, widespread power outages, property damage, and agricultural losses (from hail) could lead to localized economic impacts.
Recommendations
NWS Verification: The possible tornado in Valley Hill, MS, should be investigated to confirm whether a tornado occurred.
Public Safety: Communities in affected areas should clear debris from roads and repair power infrastructure promptly to restore normalcy.
Preparedness: Residents in severe weather-prone areas (e.g., Oklahoma, Texas) should maintain emergency plans for tornadoes and large hail, including secure shelters and vehicle protection.
Source: Storm Prediction Center
Comments