A significant tornado outbreak took place on May 17 and 18, 2019 within the Central United States, including the Great Plains. 47 tornadoes touched down as a result. This outbreak was the beginning of a broader 14-day period of significant tornadic activity in the U.S., which included two other much larger and devastating outbreaks across similar regions. On May 17, multiple strong tornadoes touched down across parts of Nebraska and Kansas, though they remained in mostly rural areas. Numerous EF2 and EF3 tornadoes impacted Texas on May 18, including two EF2 tornadoes that caused significant damage in the cities of Abilene and San Angelo, and an EF3 tornado which caused major damage in Ballinger as well.

Only four people sustained injuries as a result, given the more rural nature of the tornadoes. Total damages were estimated to be at least $1 billion.

Meteorological synopsis May 17 The threat for organized severe weather on May 17 was first outlined five days prior, when the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, as well as western Kansas, in a 15% probability contour. On the morning of May 14, this risk area was expanded and 30% severe probabilities were introduced as the SPC gained confidence in a widespread and prolonged severe weather outbreak. For the first time in the organization's history, a threat of severe weather was introduced for their entire day 4–8 period. By May 17, a dual enhanced risk existed across the Central Plains, one across much of Nebraska and the second across southwestern Texas kicking off a storm system with various tornadoes. As a large scale upper-level trough ejected into the region, dew points in the low to mid-60s °F surged north in front of a dryline. A cap across the region allowed the atmosphere to become extremely unstable, while an eastward-moving dryline was expected to become the focus for severe thunderstorms later in the day. The SPC noted uncertainty regarding convective development farther south across southwestern Kansas into Oklahoma but mentioned that any thunderstorms would be capable of significant severe weather if they came to fruition.

By late afternoon, several discrete supercell thunderstorms formed across northwestern Kansas and progressed into western and central Nebraska. While weak and largely uniform wind shear caused several splitting storms that destructively interfered with one another, one supercell later in the evening formed within a strongly sheared environment, becoming intense and long-lived as it progressed northeastward. It produced seven tornadoes in total, five of which were weak. One EF2 tornado near McCook caused major damage to a house, outbuildings, and trees, while another EF2 tornado northeast of Stockville rolled hay bales and snapped twelve power poles. The strongest was an EF3 tornado that extensively damaged or destroyed well-built structures at a farmstead near Stockville. Later in the evening, another long-lived supercell formed in southwestern Kansas where SPC had previously highlighted uncertainty in convective development. This supercell produced four tornadoes in areas southeast of Dodge City, including one rated EF3 and two rated EF2. The EF3 tornado caused severe damage to farmsteads near the towns of Minneola and Bloom, and one of the EF2 tornadoes touched down in the town of Lewis, causing damage there before striking several farmsteads. A total of 21 tornadoes were confirmed.

May 18–19

Into the morning of May 18, the large scale upper-level trough continued to shift eastward. Strong mid- and upper-level winds associated with this feature spread across much of Oklahoma and Texas, accompanied by dewpoints in the upper 60s to lower 70s °F and mixed-layer CAPE values on the order of 2,500–3,500 J/kg. While the prominent threat was expected to be damaging winds along an eastward-moving mesoscale convective system, the SPC noted the potential for embedded and brief tornadoes. Throughout the pre-dawn and early morning, a mixture of semi-discrete and linear thunderstorms developed across central and eastern Oklahoma down into northern Texas. Strong southeasterly surface winds ahead of this convection in Texas provided the impetus for prolific tornado production over subsequent hours as it moved toward the northeast. A long-lived supercell produced seven strong tornadoes as it progressed from near San Angelo, Texas, to northwest of Coleman. Three of these tornadoes reached EF3 intensity, including a large multiple-vortex tornado that struck Ballinger, where homes were left with only interior rooms standing, and a water tower was punctured by flying debris. The cities of San Angelo and Abilene both sustained direct hits from EF2 tornadoes, resulting in severe damage to many homes and businesses. Farther to the north, a brief but strong tornado occurred east of Geronimo, Oklahoma, ripping the roofs and exterior walls off of two homes and injuring one individual. Through the late morning and afternoon, a squall line progressed across eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. In the presence of strong instability and very strong low-level shear, numerous tornadoes were confirmed across the region, all rated EF0 or EF1. Fort Smith, Arkansas sustained considerable damage from two separate EF1 tornadoes. Widespread damaging winds were also observed, reaching in some places.

Confirmed tornadoes

May 17 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 17, 2019EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax width EF0E of Fort StocktonPecosTX21:43–21:55Spotters and emergency management observed a tornado. No damage occurred. EFUS of CulbertsonHitchcockNE22:40An emergency manager reported a tornado, but no damage was found. EF2ESE of Culbertson to NW of McCookRed WillowNE22:55–23:01This strong tornado destroyed six grain bins and five farm outbuildings, and produced significant damage to a house, where it collapsed brick walls, lifted half of the structure's roof, and completely removed the garage. A combine sustained damage when it was struck by a grain bin. Windows of cars and homes were shattered, wooden and barbed wire fences were damaged, irrigation pivots were overturned, and numerous trees were snapped. EF0N of McCookRed Willow, FrontierNE23:10–23:14A NWS damage survey found snapped tree branches and minor debris from unknown sources. EF0SW of StockvilleFrontierNE23:32–23:33A tornado briefly touched down. No damage occurred. EF0Northwestern StockvilleFrontierNE23:45–23:46A tornado briefly touched down in a field at the northwestern edge of Stockville. No damage occurred. EF0NE of StockvilleFrontierNE23:55–23:57Several hay bales were moved, damaging two fences. EF2NE of StockvilleFrontierNE23:58–00:00Numerous hay bales were rolled across the road, and twelve power poles were snapped. EF3NE of Stockville to SW of FarnamFrontierNE00:05–00:09A large pole barn was destroyed at a farm, along with a well-built, anchor-bolted garage structure that was swept completely away. A house at this farm was heavily damaged and shifted off of its foundation. A semi-truck and several pivot irrigation systems were overturned, and a large semi-trailer was thrown across a road. EF0NE of StockvilleFrontierNE00:12–00:13A tree trunk was twisted and many large tree limbs were broken. EF1E of FarnamFrontier, DawsonNE00:15–00:33This tornado downed large tree limbs, uprooted trees, and caused minor damage to homes. Grain bins and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and a garage was pushed off its foundation. EFUNNW of Forgan, OKBeaver (OK), Meade (KS)OK, KS00:32–00:45Storm chasers filmed a tornado crossing the Oklahoma/Kansas state line. No damage was observed. EF1NE of CozadDawsonNE00:54–01:10Trees and power poles were broken. A large farm machinery shed was demolished and several irrigation pivots were overturned. EF0W of EddyvilleDawsonNE01:15–01:17A storm chaser reported a rain-wrapped tornado. No damage occurred. EF1SE of OcontoCusterNE01:30–01:31A pole barn was damaged, a tree trunk was snapped, and a house sustained minor porch damage. A horse trailer was rolled over two wooden fences and one metal fence before it landed in a horse corral. EF0N of FowlerMeadeKS00:36–00:38A trained storm spotter witnessed an intermittent tornado. No damage occurred. EF3SE of Fowler to W of FordMeade, Clark, FordKS01:37–02:22This significant, long-tracked tornado passed near the towns of Minneola and Bloom, significantly damaging multiple farmsteads. A semi-truck was blown off the road near the beginning of the path. Homes sustained major structural damage, including roof and exterior wall loss. Barns and outbuildings were completely destroyed, including a metal-framed structure that was severely mangled. Farm machinery was thrown and damaged, trees were snapped and denuded, and a wooden projectile was speared into a dirt road. EF0W of MinneolaClarkKS01:46–01:47A storm chaser reported a tornado. No damage occurred. EF2NE of Ford to SW of KinsleyFord, EdwardsKS02:30–02:58A high-end EF2 wedge tornado snapped, denuded, and uprooted numerous trees. A house was damaged, a truck had its windows blown-out, and a large motorhome was overturned. Large metal grain bins were crumpled and destroyed, and several barns and outbuildings were destroyed as well. EF2Lewis to N of BelpreEdwards, PawneeKS03:19–03:37This tornado touched down in Lewis, where numerous trees were downed, a semi-truck was flipped, outbuildings were destroyed, and minor structural damage occurred. Elsewhere along the path, pivot irrigation systems were flipped, and homes and outbuildings sustained significant damage at several farmsteads. EFUN of SewardPawneeKS04:28–04:30A storm chaser reported a tornado. No damage occurred. EFUSE of DundeeBartonKS04:30–04:31A trained storm spotter witnessed a brief rope tornado. No damage occurred.

May 18 event