A developing strong 850-500 hPa zonal flow displaced well to the south of an anti-cyclonic feature in the northwest CONUS helped to develop convection across the region. Perturbations in the 700-500 hPa in the zonal west-east pattern developed convection off the high terrain of New Mexico. With good 700-500 mb flow of 30-50 kts in the afternoon of the 15th, this allowed the convection to be carried into the Panhandles region. With SBCAPE of 2000-3000 J/Kg along with strong effective shear approaching 50-60 kts, storms easily moved east into the Panhandles in a favorable environment. 00Z RAOB data from AMA showed also good direction shear of almost 180 degrees in the lower levels just out ahead of the convection. This lead to some storms rotating with brief funnels within some of the supercells. Damaging winds and large hail were Late report of trees up to 2 feet diameter being felled close to the trunk due to thunderstorm winds were produced with these storms before moving east out of the region very late on the 15th.

Hail in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 18:08:00 to 15-MAY-18 18:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEREFORD
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 18:22:00 to 15-MAY-18 18:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEREFORD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 18:22:00 to 15-MAY-18 18:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEREFORD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 18:36:00 to 15-MAY-18 18:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILO CENTER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel to quarter size hail with some accumulation on the ground.

Hail in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 18:46:00 to 15-MAY-18 18:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAWN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

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Hail in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 20:06:00 to 15-MAY-18 20:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRUVER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Sheriff reported quarter sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 20:30:00 to 15-MAY-18 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORSE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Late report of half-dollar size hail, and structural damage to feed lot caused by thunderstorm winds. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 20:30:00 to 15-MAY-18 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORSE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Late report of half-dollar size hail, and structural damage to feed lot caused by thunderstorm winds. Time estimated from radar.

Funnel Cloud in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 20:43:00 to 15-MAY-18 20:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORSE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rotating wall cloud with brief funnels being produced with dime size hail also reported.

Hail in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 20:43:00 to 15-MAY-18 20:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORSE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rotating wall cloud with brief funnels being produced. Dime size hail also reported.

Hail in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 20:50:00 to 15-MAY-18 20:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINGLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 22:04:00 to 15-MAY-18 22:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: MIAMI
Magnitude: 2.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Late report from county sheriff of hail damaged vehicles due to hail the size of hen eggs. Time estimated from radar.

Hail in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 22:04:00 to 15-MAY-18 22:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: MIAMI
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Late report of quarter sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 22:48:00 to 15-MAY-18 22:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHEELER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Late report of trees up to 2 feet diameter being felled close to the trunk due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 15-MAY-18 22:54:00 to 15-MAY-18 22:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANADIAN
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet