Tornado outbreak of May 15–17, 2013
Satellite image of supercell clusters in the Dallas–Fort Worth area during the evening of May 15.
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationMay 15–17, 2013
Highest winds
Tornadoes
confirmed		31
Max. rating1EF4 tornado
Duration of
tornado outbreak2		1 day, 21 hours, 13 minutes
Largest hail4 in (10 cm) in diameter
(Mineral Wells, Texas on May 15)
Fatalities6 fatalities (63 injuries)
DamageUS$272 million
Part of the Tornadoes of 2013

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

A small but damaging tornado outbreak impacted northern Texas, south-central Oklahoma, northern Louisiana, and northern Alabama in mid-May 2013. The outbreak was the result of an upper-level shortwave trough that tracked across the Southern Plains of the United States. An associated low-pressure area and atmospheric instability resulted in the formation of tornadoes across northern Texas and Oklahoma on May 15. Afterwards the storm system weakened as it tracked westward, though six additional tornadoes were reported in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama in the two days following May 15.[1] Over a period of nearly two days, the storm system produced 26 tornadoes in four states. The strongest of these was an EF4 tornado which struck Hood County, Texas on May 15. However, on May 16 and May 17 no tornadoes were confirmed to have been stronger than EF1 intensity. In addition to tornadoes, large hail was reported, peaking at 4 in (10 cm) in diameter near Mineral Wells, Texas on May 15.

The EF4 tornado in Hood County, Texas, accounted for all six deaths caused by the severe storms, making it the first deadly tornado event in Texas since the 2007 Piedras Negras-Eagle Pass tornadoes.[2] An additional 63 people were injured, many of which were due to the same EF4 tornado. A second tornado, rated EF3, was similarly damaging and impacted areas southwest of Cleburne, Texas, injuring seven. Damage across the four states due to the storm system reached roughly $272 million in damage.

Meteorological synopsis

Preliminary map of tornado, wind, and hail reports associated with the storm.

The outbreak was caused by an upper-level shortwave trough that moved northeastward from Mexico into the Southern Plains states during the nighttime the morning of May 15. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma, a division of the National Weather Service, initially issued a slight risk of severe thunderstorms early that morning over northwestern Texas, for a threat of large hail and damaging winds.[3] A low-pressure area associated with the trough moved over Oklahoma that day, producing light to moderate rainfall and non-severe thunderstorms across that state into parts of North Texas. Later forecasts expanded the slight risk further into northern and Central Texas, and later into far southern Oklahoma, and indicated an enhanced risk of a few isolated tornadoes in North Texas.[4]

The atmosphere began to destabilize due to a decrease in cloud cover over western and central Texas; the sunshine and heating, combined with sufficient wind shear and abundant low-level moisture, combined to produce a very unstable air mass. The SPC issued a severe thunderstorm watch from southern Oklahoma to central Texas that afternoon around 3:00 p.m. CDT.[5] Supercells broke out in parts of northwestern Texas during the late afternoon hours, one of which developed the first tornado of the day at 5:38 p.m., near Belcherville in Montague County. A second tornado spawned by the same storm, rated as an EF1, touched down near Lake Amon G. Carter, damaging four homes and destroying one. As forecasters realized that conditions now favored tornadic activity, the SPC issued a tornado watch from far southern Oklahoma into central Texas at 6 p.m. CDT, replacing parts of the original severe thunderstorm watch.[5]

At 7:13 p.m. CDT, storm spotters reported a large tornado on the ground near Millsap in Parker County, which caused roof damage to several homes in the town. This tornado remained on the ground as another tornado began to intensify near Mile Marker 409 on I-20 southeast of Weatherford, Texas at 7:19 p.m. NWS doppler radar briefly detected both tornadoes, indicating the storm was a cyclical supercell (a type of supercell that can produce successive tornadoes), before the Millsap tornado finally dissipated.[5]

A home in Granbury which was completely swept away by the EF4 Granbury, Texas tornado.
Survey analysis of the May 15, 2013 EF4 Granbury, Texas tornado detailing the tornado's track.

An EF4 tornado hit the town of Granbury, Texas in Hood County around 8 p.m. CDT, damaging or destroying around 100 homes and killing at least six people, with the most severe damage occurring in the Rancho Brazos neighborhood; the Granbury storm was the first violent tornado to hit North Texas since an F4 tornado killed three people in Lancaster in Dallas County on April 25, 1994.[6] The supercell that produced the Granbury tornado later spawned an EF3 tornado that hit the Fort Worth suburb of Cleburne in Johnson County around 9:30 p.m. CDT, producing its most significant damage just east of Lake Pat Cleburne.[6][7] The last twister of the outbreak touched down at 12:19 a.m., producing EF1 damage in the Ellis County town of Ennis, Texas, south-southeast of Dallas.[5] In total, the system produced at least 16 tornadoes that afternoon and evening across north and central Texas, from Montague to Coryell counties.[6][8]

The system continued to spin up tornadoes on May 16 and 17, though not of the same severity as the storms that occurred on the 15th, each causing only minor to moderate damage of EF0 and EF1 intensity. Four additional tornadoes occurred near the Shreveport metropolitan area on May 16, two of which touched down near Waskom, Texas, and two in Caddo Parish near the towns of Greenwood and Stonewall, Louisiana.[9] Two short-lived tornadoes touched down in Limestone County, Alabama on May 17, causing scattered damage to trees, roofs and a barn.[10]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 19 10 0 1 1 0 31

May 15 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, May 15, 2013[nb 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 WNW of Belcherville Montague TX 33°48′50″N 97°52′52″W / 33.814°N 97.881°W / 33.814; -97.881 (Belcherville (May 15, EF0)) 2233 – 2236 1.11 mi (1.79 km) 70 yd (64 m) A brief tornado caused damage to a ranch.[11]
EF0 SW of Priddy Mills TX 31°39′18″N 98°34′48″W / 31.655°N 98.58°W / 31.655; -98.58 (Priddy (May 15, EF0)) 2314 – 2318 3.42 mi (5.50 km) 50 yd (46 m) This tornado remained over open fields and downed several trees.[12]
EF0 WNW of Ada Pontotoc OK 34°46′50″N 96°42′30″W / 34.7805°N 96.7083°W / 34.7805; -96.7083 (Ada (May 15, EF0)) 2334 – 2335 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 50 yd (46 m) A mobile home was damaged and several trees were downed.[13]
EF0 SSE of Mineral Wells Palo Pinto TX 32°46′16″N 98°04′19″W / 32.771°N 98.072°W / 32.771; -98.072 (Mineral Wells (May 15, EF0)) 2341 – 2342 0.3 mi (0.48 km) 50 yd (46 m) A brief tornado caused no damage.[14]
EF1 NE of Nocona Montague TX 33°50′42″N 97°40′59″W / 33.845°N 97.683°W / 33.845; -97.683 (Lake Nocona (May 15, EF1)) 2350 – 2355 1.01 mi (1.63 km) 200 yd (180 m) A mobile home slid off of its foundation, a few site-built homes were damaged, and several trees were downed near Lake Nocona.[15]
EF1 WSW of Sunset Montague TX 33°26′02″N 97°53′24″W / 33.434°N 97.89°W / 33.434; -97.89 (Lake Amon G. Carter (May 15, EF1)) 2351 – 2358 3.63 mi (5.84 km) 240 yd (220 m) Five homes were damaged, one of which was destroyed, a golf course clubhouse was destroyed, and many trees were downed south of Lake Amon G. Carter. One person was injured.[16]
EF1 Southern Millsap Parker TX 32°44′49″N 98°01′49″W / 32.747°N 98.0302°W / 32.747; -98.0302 (Millsap (May 15, EF1)) 0003 – 0019 1.95 mi (3.14 km) 400 yd (370 m) Several homes and barns were damaged and power lines were downed.[17]
EF0 WSW of Illinois Bend Montague TX 33°50′28″N 97°35′20″W / 33.841°N 97.589°W / 33.841; -97.589 (Illinois Bend (May 15, EF0)) 0018 – 0020 0.94 mi (1.51 km) 150 yd (140 m) A brief tornado damaged a home and downed several trees northwest of St. Jo.[18]
EF0 E of Millsap Parker TX 32°43′12″N 97°56′31″W / 32.72°N 97.942°W / 32.72; -97.942 (Brock (May 15, EF0)) 0022 – 0025 0.49 mi (0.79 km) 70 yd (64 m) A brief tornado north of Brock remained over open fields and caused no damage.[19]
EF0 NNW of Bridgeport Wise TX 33°24′29″N 97°40′19″W / 33.408°N 97.6719°W / 33.408; -97.6719 (Alvord (May 15, EF0)) 0035 – 0037 0.69 mi (1.11 km) 25 yd (23 m) A brief tornado north of Alvord stayed mostly over open land and only downed a few trees.[20]
EF0 E of Dennis Parker TX 32°38′20″N 97°48′22″W / 32.639°N 97.806°W / 32.639; -97.806 (Tin Top (May 15, EF0)) 0053 – 0056 1.46 mi (2.35 km) 200 yd (180 m) Numerous barns and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed and numerous trees were downed south of Weatherford and southwest of Annetta.[21]
EF4 Southeastern Granbury Hood TX 32°24′43″N 97°45′14″W / 32.412°N 97.754°W / 32.412; -97.754 (Granbury (May 15, EF4)) 0058 – 0111 2.5 mi (4.0 km) 400 yd (370 m) 6 deaths – This large, slow-moving, violent tornado touched down on the west bank of the Brazos River, crossing the river and moving eastward, before downing several trees and power lines and hitting the American Legion hall. The tornado then abruptly turned northward and entered the Rancho Brazos subdivision, reaching peak intensity. Here, 97 of the 110 homes were damaged. While the vast majority of the subdivision sustained EF1 or EF2 damage, 10 homes sustained EF3 damage, and 4 homes sustained EF4 damage. All 6 deaths were in mobile homes. The tornado then continued north for one mile before dissipating. In addition to the fatalities, 54 people were injured.[22]
EF0 SSW of Aledo Parker TX 32°33′58″N 97°40′30″W / 32.566°N 97.675°W / 32.566; -97.675 (Annetta South (May 15, EF0)) 0105 – 0107 0.12 mi (0.19 km) 25 yd (23 m) A brief tornado caused no known damage.[23]
EF1 Pecan Plantation Hood, Johnson TX 32°21′22″N 97°37′59″W / 32.356°N 97.633°W / 32.356; -97.633 (Pecan Plantation (May 15, EF1)) 0109 – 0121 2.44 mi (3.93 km) 300 yd (270 m) This tornado produced mostly minor damage in the Pecan Plantation community before crossing the Brazos River and dissipating.[24]
EF0 NW of Cresson Johnson TX 32°33′18″N 97°39′50″W / 32.555°N 97.664°W / 32.555; -97.664 (Cresson (May 15, EF0)) 0119 – 0122 0.19 mi (0.31 km) 30 yd (27 m) A brief tornado damaged a billboard and a few farm buildings.[25]
EF0 NNE of Evant (1st tornado) Hamilton TX 31°30′43″N 98°08′06″W / 31.512°N 98.135°W / 31.512; -98.135 (Pottsville (May 15, EF0)) 0134 – 0136 0.21 mi (0.34 km) 30 yd (27 m) This was the first of two brief tornadoes that occurred simultaneously, although no damage was reported.[26]
EF0 NNE of Evant (2nd tornado) Hamilton TX 31°30′07″N 98°08′42″W / 31.502°N 98.145°W / 31.502; -98.145 (Pottsville (May 15, EF0)) 0135 – 0137 1.04 mi (1.67 km) 40 yd (37 m) This was the second of two brief tornadoes that occurred simultaneously, although no damage was reported.[27]
EF3 SSW of Cleburne Johnson TX 32°15′18″N 97°29′42″W / 32.255°N 97.495°W / 32.255; -97.495 (Cleburne (May 15, EF3)) 0212 – 0223 7.79 mi (12.54 km) 1,733 yd (1,585 m) A large wedge tornado formed near Lake Pat Cleburne and moved erratically northeastward, damaging dozens of homes, four of which sustained EF3-strength damage. Seven people were injured.[28][29]
EF0 ESE of Cleburne Johnson TX 32°18′40″N 97°17′49″W / 32.311°N 97.297°W / 32.311; -97.297 (Cleburne (May 15, EF0)) 0245 – 0249 1.28 mi (2.06 km) 400 yd (370 m) Five manufactured homes suffered roof damage and several trees were downed.[30]

May 16 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 16, 2013[nb 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF1 Ennis Ellis TX 32°19′30″N 96°37′52″W / 32.325°N 96.631°W / 32.325; -96.631 (Ennis (May 16, EF1)) 0505 – 0512 6.17 mi (9.93 km) 400 yd (370 m) A total of 17 homes were damaged, with 4 being destroyed. Another 55 commercial properties were damaged, with 20 suffering severe damage. One person was injured.[28][31]
EF1 W of Waskom Harrison TX 32°29′28″N 94°09′12″W / 32.4911°N 94.1534°W / 32.4911; -94.1534 (Waskom (May 16, EF1)) 1920 – 1924 1.43 mi (2.30 km) 500 yd (460 m) Several metal buildings were damaged and trees were downed. One person was injured.[32]
EF1 SSE of Waskom Harrison TX 32°27′49″N 94°03′23″W / 32.4636°N 94.0565°W / 32.4636; -94.0565 (Waskom (May 16, EF1)) 1934 – 1936 0.42 mi (0.68 km) 200 yd (180 m) A tornado caused minor damage to metal buildings, construction equipment, and a few houses. Several trees were downed as well.[33]
EF1 ESE of Greenwood Caddo LA 32°26′48″N 93°57′45″W / 32.4468°N 93.9625°W / 32.4468; -93.9625 (Greenwood (May 16, EF1)) 1939 – 1950 5.23 mi (8.42 km) 1,400 yd (1,300 m) Many trees were downed, several of which caused damage to mobile homes and site-built homes. One person was injured.[34]
EF1 NNE of Stonewall Caddo, DeSoto LA 32°20′04″N 93°48′46″W / 32.3345°N 93.8128°W / 32.3345; -93.8128 (Stonewall (May 16, EF1)) 2005 – 2009 2.48 mi (3.99 km) 350 yd (320 m) A brief tornado near a broad area of straight-line winds downed several trees.[35]

May 17 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 17, 2013[nb 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 S of Athens Limestone AL 34°45′36″N 86°58′29″W / 34.76°N 86.9748°W / 34.76; -86.9748 (Athens (May 17, EF0)) 1900 – 1907 2.04 mi (3.28 km) 50 yd (46 m) An intermittent tornado downed trees and shifted wooden front porch pillars at a house. It then skipped northeast, where it ripped metal signs and siding off of a metal pole before dissipating.[36]
EF0 SW of Ardmore Limestone AL 34°57′17″N 86°52′46″W / 34.9546°N 86.8794°W / 34.9546; -86.8794 (Athens (May 17, EF0)) 1945 – 1946 0.15 mi (0.24 km) 50 yd (46 m) A very brief tornado caused roof damage to several houses and a barn. One brick house sustained structural damage to its bricks and foundation and several trees were downed.[37]
EF0 N of Crawford Dawes NE 42°46′53″N 103°24′00″W / 42.7813°N 103.4°W / 42.7813; -103.4 (Crawford (May 17, EF0)) 2154 – 2200 2.67 mi (4.30 km) 50 yd (46 m) No damage was reported.[38]
EF0 WSW of Windom Cottonwood MN 43°49′48″N 95°12′54″W / 43.83°N 95.215°W / 43.83; -95.215 (Windom (May 17, EF0)) 2245 – 2247 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 50 yd (46 m) A brief tornado caused no damage.[39]
EF0 S of Miloma Jackson MN 43°43′12″N 95°10′30″W / 43.72°N 95.175°W / 43.72; -95.175 (Miloma (May 17, EF0)) 2310 – 2312 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 50 yd (46 m) A brief tornado caused no damage.[40]
EF0 NW of Eliasville (1st tornado) Young TX 32°59′N 98°49′W / 32.99°N 98.81°W / 32.99; -98.81 (Eliasville (May 17, EF0)) 0034 – 0037 1.02 mi (1.64 km) 75 yd (69 m) A tornado occurred over open fields and caused no damage.[41]
EF1 NW of Eliasville (2nd tornado) Young TX 32°59′56″N 98°47′02″W / 32.999°N 98.784°W / 32.999; -98.784 (Eliasville (May 17, EF1)) 0050 – 0053 3.14 mi (5.05 km) 20 yd (18 m) A house suffered significant damage to its roof and back porch.[42]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References

  1. ↑ "NWS Damage Survey Completed For The May 16th Storm That Occurred In Extreme East Texas And Northwest Louisiana". National Weather Service Shreveport, Louisiana. May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013."Severe Weather Event on May 17, 2013". National Weather Service Huntsville, Alabama. May 18, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Tornadoes Across North Texas May 15, 2013". National Weather Service Fort Worth, Texas. May 16, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  3. ↑ Severe Weather Outlook at 12:53 p.m. CDT on May 15, 2013
  4. ↑ Severe Weather Outlook at 11:38 a.m. CDT on May 15, 2013
  5. 1 2 3 4 Texas Tornadoes: As They Happened Archived 2013-05-17 at the Wayback Machine, The Weather Channel, May 17, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 Hood County twister one of the deadliest tornadoes in the last 50 years, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 17, 2013.
  7. ↑ Cleburne mayor: Three EF-3 tornadoes damage or destroy 600 homes Archived 2013-06-10 at the Wayback Machine, WFAA, May 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ The 16 tornadoes that occurred Wednesday defied predictions, The Dallas Morning News, May 16, 2013.
  9. ↑ Thursday's storms brought 4 tornadoes to ArkLaTex, KSLA-TV, May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  10. ↑ Friday storms across Alabama cause small tornadoes, heavy rains; wet weather expected to continue Saturday, AL.com, May 18, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023."Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  28. 1 2 National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas. "Tornadoes Across North Texas May 15th, 2013". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023."Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
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