Returning Gulf of Mexico moisture into the South Plains of West Texas fueled widespread severe thunderstorm development across the region on the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. Moderate to strong instability developed across the western South Plains and eastern New Mexico Monday afternoon and evening as the improving low-level moisture and temperatures warming into the 80s developed beneath an approaching upper level storm system. Relatively strong wind shear caused several of the thunderstorms to rotate as they moved into the western South Plains and western Texas Panhandle. A cluster of thunderstorms moving northeast out of southeastern New Mexico interacted with an outflow boundary moving northwest out of the Permian Basin. This caused a storm on the southern flank of the cluster to begin to rotate and become supercellular and take a more easterly, then southeasterly track. As the storm intensified, it became cyclic in behavior and its forward speed varied from about 5 mph to 20 mph. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes over an approximately two hour period. The tornadoes occurred over rural areas which limited the overall impacts. Spotty damage did occur including two oil pumpjacks that were toppled by the intense tornadic winds. This damage, along with snapped power poles and flipped center pivots earned a peak damage rating of EF-2. The thunderstorms eventually evolved into a larger complex that brought widespread rain to most of the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and southern Texas Panhandle. The heaviest rain was associated with the slow-moving tornadic storm and was concentrated over Bailey County, where three to as much as seven inches of rain fell.

Hail in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 16:50:00 to 23-MAY-22 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOODLAND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser reported golf ball size hail in far southwestern Bailey County.

Thunderstorm Wind in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 21:05:00 to 23-MAY-22 21:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MULESHOE
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Muleshoe measured severe wind gusts from 2105 CST through 2125 CST. A peak wind gust of 67 mph was measured at 2105 and 2110 CST.

Flash Flood in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:30:00 to 23-MAY-22 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell persisted for several hours near the intersection of Bailey, Lamb, Hockley, and Cochran Counties. This thunderstorm brought copious amount of rainfall to this region leading to flash flooding over a widespread area. Most of the rainfall was observed over far southeastern Bailey County where between three and seven inches of rain fell. While conducting a tornado storm survey the next day, the NWS survey team discovered numerous roads that were impassable due to flooding.

Hail in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 17:17:00 to 23-MAY-22 17:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLE
Magnitude: 2.25 
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Several storm chasers reported a swath of hail between ping pong ball size and 2.25 inches in far southern Bailey County. No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALE, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 23:42:00 to 23-MAY-22 23:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: ABERNATHY
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Abernathy measured a severe wind gust of 61 mph.

Tornado in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 17:50:00 to 23-MAY-22 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the first tornado. It was a brief needle like tornado that became rain wrapped and observed by several storm chasers. No damage was observed or reported.

Tornado in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:37:00 to 23-MAY-22 19:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: PETTIT
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the eighth tornado. No damage was observed or reported with this short lived, small tornado. The instantaneous center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data.

Hail in PARMER, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 17:33:00 to 23-MAY-22 17:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOVINA
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A swath of severe size hail was observed in and around Bovina. Law enforcement in the town of Bovina reported quarter size hail. A few minutes later, a storm chaser reported hail up to tennis ball size just south of Bovina. No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 24-MAY-22 02:26:00 to 24-MAY-22 02:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: (CDS)CHILDRESS ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The automated surface observing system at Childress Municipal Airport measured a wind gust of 58 mph.

Tornado in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 18:03:00 to 23-MAY-22 18:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the second tornado. The instantaneous width and center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data. Extensive photo and video evidence existed of a wide, dusty, wedge tornado with numerous sub-vortices present at times. Maximum winds were estimated at 120 mph. This tornado continued into Bailey County.

Tornado in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:40:00 to 23-MAY-22 19:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: COBLE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the ninth and final tornado. The NWS storm survey team discovered several locations along Farm to Market Road 303 with wooden power poles snapped at the base and two pump jacks overturned. Maximum winds were estimated at 120 mph. The instantaneous width and center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 18:47:00 to 23-MAY-22 18:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON COCHRAN CO AR
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a severe wind gust of 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAMB, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 22:14:00 to 23-MAY-22 22:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: EARTH
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Lamb County Sheriff's Office reported several power lines down along County Road 167 to the southeast of Earth.

Tornado in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 18:12:00 to 23-MAY-22 18:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENOCHS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the second tornado. The instantaneous width and center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data. Extensive photo and video evidence existed of a wide, dusty, wedge tornado with numerous sub-vortices present at times. Maximum winds were estimated at 120 mph. This is a continuation of a tornado from Cochran County.

Tornado in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:14:00 to 23-MAY-22 19:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON COCHRAN CO AR
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the sixth tornado. A brief condensation funnel extended to the ground from the cloud for approximately two minutes near the intersection if County Roads 98 and 197 southeast of Morton as reported by a storm chaser. A power flash was observed with this tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:38:00 to 23-MAY-22 19:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON COCHRAN CO AR
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a severe wind gust of 58 mph.

Heavy Rain in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 22:00:00 to 23-MAY-22 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (REE)REESE AFB LUBBO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A report was received of standing water on the road at the intersection of Farm to Market Roads 2641 and 2378.

Tornado in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 18:13:00 to 23-MAY-22 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON COCHRAN CO AR
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the third tornado. While the larger tornado south of Enochs was occluding, a new circulation developed to the east and a brief, small tornado was reported by numerous chasers, including NWS spotters. No damage was observed or reported. The instantaneous center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data. This tornado continued into Bailey County.

Hail in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 20:22:00 to 23-MAY-22 20:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEVELLAND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported golf ball size hail just to the northeast of Levelland.

Flash Flood in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:30:00 to 23-MAY-22 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON COCHRAN CO AR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell persisted for several hours near the intersection of Bailey, Lamb, Hockley, and Cochran Counties. This thunderstorm brought copious amount of rainfall to this region leading to flash flooding over a widespread area. Most of the rainfall was observed over far southeastern Bailey County where between three and seven inches of rain fell. While conducting a tornado storm survey the next day, the NWS survey team discovered numerous roads that were impassable due to flooding.

Tornado in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 18:17:00 to 23-MAY-22 18:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENOCHS
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the third tornado. While the larger tornado south of Enochs was occluding, a new circulation developed to the east and a brief, small tornado was reported by numerous chasers, including NWS spotters. No damage was observed or reported. The instantaneous center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data. This is a continuation of a tornado from Cochran County.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 21:08:00 to 23-MAY-22 21:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHALLOWATER ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported quarter size hail along Farm to Market Road 1294 west of Shallowater.

Flash Flood in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:30:00 to 23-MAY-22 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BULA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell persisted for several hours near the intersection of Bailey, Lamb, Hockley, and Cochran Counties. This thunderstorm brought copious amount of rainfall to this region leading to flash flooding over a widespread area. Most of the rainfall was observed over far southeastern Bailey County where between three and seven inches of rain fell. While conducting a tornado storm survey the next day, the NWS survey team discovered numerous roads that were impassable due to flooding.

Tornado in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 18:40:00 to 23-MAY-22 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON COCHRAN CO AR
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the fourth tornado. A short lived, small tornado was observed in far northeastern Cochran County. No damage was observed or reported. The instantaneous center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data.

Hail in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 20:51:00 to 23-MAY-22 20:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMYER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported quarter size hail two to three inches deep on the ground.

Flash Flood in LAMB, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:30:00 to 23-MAY-22 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BECK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell persisted for several hours near the intersection of Bailey, Lamb, Hockley, and Cochran Counties. This thunderstorm brought copious amount of rainfall to this region leading to flash flooding over a widespread area. Most of the rainfall was observed over far southeastern Bailey County where between three and seven inches of rain fell. While conducting a tornado storm survey the next day, the NWS survey team discovered numerous roads that were impassable due to flooding.

Tornado in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:06:00 to 23-MAY-22 19:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEP
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the fifth tornado. Numerous storm chasers documented a brief, small tornado in an open field. Wooden power poles were blown down at the intersection of Farm to Market Roads 597 and 303, approximately two miles south of Pep. Maximum winds were estimated at 85 mph.

Tornado in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 23-MAY-22 19:28:00 to 23-MAY-22 19:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: PETTIT
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the seventh tornado. No damage was observed or reported from this short lived, small tornado. The instantaneous center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data.