May 27, 1997 Central Texas Tornado Outbreak
Weather Data, Stories, and Content from an infamous day in Texas history.
Overview
A deadly severe weather episode unfolded across portions of Central Texas during the afternoon and evening hours on Tuesday, May 27th, 1997. Over the course of roughly six hours, 20 tornadoes touched down across the NWS Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin/San Antonio forecast areas of responsibility. Twenty-eight people were killed by the tornadoes along with one indirect fatality from cardiac arrest. One person drowned in floodwaters along Shoal Creek in Austin. Over $128 million dollars (1997) in damage occurred to property and infrastructure.
This event was made infamous by one of the most powerful tornadoes on record: an F5 which tore through a subdivision of Jarrell called Double Creek Estates in extreme northern Williamson County during the mid-afternoon. Some of the most extreme damage on record occurred with this tornado, and one account states that “the earth was scoured bare, pavement was ripped from roadways, [and] homes and other buildings were completely pulverized” (Lon Curtis, Weather Bulletin). Twenty-seven fatalities occurred in the Double Creek Estate subdivision and 12 others were injured. Two tornadoes also touched down in the Austin Metro area: an F3-rated tornado in Cedar Park damaged businesses and numerous homes, and an F4-rated tornado near Lakeway. In addition to the tornadoes, the storms also produced large hail up to grapefuit sized and strong straight-line winds. In San Antonio, a 122 mph straight-line wind gust was recorded at Kelly Air Force Base (now referred to as Kelly Field).
This Story Map looks back at the events that unfolded and accounts from that day while honoring the victims.
Please be patient. Maps and pictures may be slow to display.
Regional Radar & Satellite
Regional Radar Loop from May 27, 1997
Visible Satellite Loop from May 27, 1997
Environmental Setup
As atypical as the movement of the storm complex responsible for the Jarrell tornado was, the environment that said complex formed in was even more atypical. During impending severe weather, especially tornadoes, we as meteorologists search for a very specific set of ingredients. Without the presence of proper instability and wind shear, rotating thunderstorms, and thus tornadoes, won’t be able to develop.
Hybrid observation-model derived sounding from 21Z May 27 at Calvert, TX (Robertson County, 81 miles from Jarrell). Sounding constructed using data collected in-situ in the lowest 6200 meters, and data from the 21Z run of the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC, now RAP) above 6200 meters. Figure adapted from Houston and Wilhelmsen 2007.
Convective Available Potential Energy—known by many as CAPE—is the metric we most frequently use to evaluate the stability of the atmosphere. A quantitative measure of how much energy is available to air parcels rising through a thunderstorm, greater amounts of CAPE imply that stronger thunderstorm updrafts will be possible. Values of 1000 joules per kilogram (J/kg) or more are generally recognized as supportive of thunderstorm development and growth. Six times this amount was present in the environment surrounding the Jarrell storm complex, as soundings taken on the afternoon of May 7 indicated that approximately 6500 J/kg of CAPE was available to growing convection. Needless to say, the atmosphere was primed for thunderstorms on the afternoon of the Jarrell tornado.
With ample instability in place, the next logical check is to assess the potential for rotating thunderstorms. For supercellular tornadoes to form (those produced by supercells), the correct dynamic conditions need to be present in both the middle and lower portions of the atmosphere. Most supercells first begin to rotate in the mid-levels, as the storm's updraft tilts horizontally-oriented vortices into the vertical. Known as mid-level mesocyclogenesis, this is how a supercell develops its mesocyclone—the rotating portion of the thunderstorm that can give it a flying saucer-like appearance. The key to anticipating the formation of mesocyclones resides in understanding how the speed and direction of the wind is changing with height. Termed vertical wind shear, this tells us how much horizontal rotation is occurring in the middle atmosphere. The lower the vertical wind shear, the less potential there is for rotating mesocyclones.
Once the potential for mid-level rotation has been assessed, our attention turns to the lowest couple kilometers of the atmosphere. A supercell can spin like a top in the middle atmosphere, but tornadoes can’t occur if the rotation isn’t communicated to the surface. How this precisely occurs continues to be an active area of research, and isn’t completely understood. However, a parameter known as storm relative helicity (SRH) has proven to be an effective tool in quantifying the low-level rotation exploited by tornado-producing supercells. In short, SRH evaluates the alignment between invisible, rotating eddies in the lower atmosphere and the storm-relative wind field (the wind as seen from the perspective of the thunderstorm). Like vertical wind shear, the relationship between SRH and tornado potential is a linear one—higher SRH implies greater tornadic potential.
The Jarrell supercell and tornado becomes a perplexing case when the two dynamic parameters discussed above (vertical wind shear and storm relative helicity) are examined on the afternoon of May 27, 1997. Typically a source of significant wind shear during severe weather episodes, the core of the jet stream was located well to the north of South-Central Texas through the period, as it was centered over Oklahoma. This translated to vertical wind shear values of less than 20 knots across the region, a value well below what would normally be expected for the development of mid-level mesocyclones. Furthermore, estimated SRH values in the single digits were indicative of an environment incapable of supporting low level rotation in supercells. From a purely numerical perspective, an F5 tornado just didn’t seem possible over Williamson County on the afternoon of May 27, despite ample instability for thunderstorms.
Visible satellite image taken from GOES-9 at 20Z on May 27, 1997. Pertinent surface boundaries drawn and labeled by the authors of Houston and Wilhelmson 2007. Deformed portion of the supercell gust front is labeled as the “Distorted gust front.”
In reality, it was a complex combination of preexisting and storm-generated surface boundaries which allowed the Jarrell supercell to persist and ultimately produce an F5 tornado. Interacting with the jet stream situated to its north, a cold front swung from I-35 in Bell and Williamson Counties west-southwest into the Hill Country and the Edwards Plateau. A surface dryline joined the cold front at I-35, running parallel with it to the west and southwest. Said dryline led the cold front to the southeast everywhere with the exception of Bell and Williamson Counties, where the cold front was able to catch and surpass it. This brought the warm, moist, and unstable air mass already discussed into direct contact with a cool, dry air mass settling in behind the cold front. This convergence created a favorable setup for air to rise and ultimately tap into the high amounts of energy available for the generation of new convection, as well as the support of preexisting convection, in the vicinity of Jarrell.
Schematic conceptualizing the frontal segment as a “zippering” of the dryline and cold front into a single boundary. Adapted from Houston and Wilhelmson 2007.
Coined the "frontal segment" in studies of the Jarrell tornado, said portion of the cold front acted as a “zippering” of the dryline and cold front into a single boundary, promoting new updraft growth along its length. Given its northeast to southwest orientation, the frontal segment proved critical in supporting the Jarrell supercell’s anomalous southwest propagation into Williamson County.
The final essential component contributing to the Jarrell tornado was the gust front affiliated with the storm complex itself. Forming as rain-cooled air rushed out and away from the thunderstorm, a portion of the gust front intersected with the frontal segment in the minutes leading up to the tornado. Becoming deformed by the opposing wind regimes in place on both sides of the frontal segment, this led to a partial schism between the portion of the gust front interacting with the frontal segment with the portion distanced further to the north. Never completely fracturing, the gust front persisted as one cohesive entity, with the section influenced by the frontal segment remaining attached at the so-called cusp, or inflection point, of the boundary.
Despite limited observational data, evidence suggests that the Jarrell tornado formed as the southwest flank of the supercell overran the gust front cusp in far northern Williamson County. Despite minimal SRH in the surrounding environment, it’s theorized that an updraft became collocated with an area of low-level rotation centered upon the cusp, rapidly stretching it into a tornadic vortex. Far from what’s typically observed during supercellular tornadogenesis, this was how a seemingly unfavorable environment was able to produce an F5 tornado on the afternoon of May 27, 1997.
Storm Prediction Center Surface Analysis - 7AM CDT (12Z), 10AM CDT (15Z), 1PM CDT (18Z), 4PM CDT (21Z)
Timeline
1016 AM CDT - SPC CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK ISSUED
...SE TX/WRN LA... Very warm and moist air remains in place across southeast Texas and western Louisiana where dew points are in the low to mid 70s and afternoon temperatures should climb into the upper 80s to low 90s. Relatively steep 7° C/KM mid level lapse rates are also present over the region, which, given significant surface heating, should boost after CAPE into the 4000-5000 J/KG range by mid afternoon. Coupled with outflow boundaries to focus convergence and moderate 25-35 knot westerly flow aloft conditions will be favorable for the development of scattered intense storms with very large hail, locally damaging winds, and possibly isolated brief tornadoes. Decreasing shear with time suggests activity will evolve into an MCS and move off to the southeast across Central Texas later tonight.
1229 PM CDT - SPC MESOSCALE DISCUSSION ISSUED
SPC MESOSCALE DISCUSSION FOR ..ERN TX/WRN LA.. CONCERNING...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL... Latest visible satellite imagery shows isolated towering cumulus and cumulonimbus increasing over parts of eastern Texas. One large area of increasing convection between Longview and Tyler, with other storms developing along the surface boundary near Waco. 12z and model forecast soundings show very steep lapse rates and rich low level moisture across this region with current surface based CAPE values exceeding 4500 J/KG. Some weak capping remains, but further daytime heating should overcome the CAP and allow scattered thunderstorms to become severe. The degree of instability and dry air aloft suggest the threat of very large hail and gusty damaging winds. Also extreme instability and sufficient deep layer shear indicate the potential for isolated supercell storm structures. A tornado watch may be required during the next 1-2 hours over parts of Eastern Texas and Western Louisiana.
1254 PM CDT - TORNADO WATCH ISSUED
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 338 STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 1254 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF EAST TEXAS WESTERN LOUISIANA EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 115 PM UNTIL 700 PM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 1/2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 125 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 25 MILES EAST OF COLLEGE STATION TEXAS TO 40 MILES NORTH NORTHWEST OF SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA. REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. OTHER WATCH INFORMATION... CONTINUE...WW 336...WW 337... DISCUSSION...VERY LARGE HAIL/LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON IN VERY UNSTABLE AIR MASS /CAPE TO 5000 J/KG/ OVER REGION. ANY TORNADOES WILL LIKELY BE CONFINED TO BOUNDARY INTERSECTIONS GIVEN COMPARATIVELY WEAK VERTICAL SHEAR.
121 PM CDT - 1ST TORNADO WARNING FOR THE EVENT
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX 121 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FORT WORTH HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS ...MCLENNAN COUNTY AT 121 PM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR DETECTED A TORNADO NEAR HEWITT. THIS STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE IS A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. USE BLANKETS...PILLOWS...OR CUSHIONS TO COVER YOUR BODY. AVOID WINDOWS.
121-124 PM CDT - 1ST TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado touches down in McLennan County near Lorena.
144-147 PM CDT - 2ND TORNADO (F0 RATING)
F0 tornado touches down in McLennan County near Eddy. Meteorologist Bruce Thomas of KCEN captures live on the air the moment the tornado touched down.
146-210 PM CDT - 3RD TORNADO (F3 RATING)
F3 tornado touches down in McLennan County near Moody then crosses into Bell County.
148 PM CDT - TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR BELL COUNTY
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX 148 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FORT WORTH HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 230 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS ...BELL COUNTY AT 148 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR DETECTED A TORNADO BETWEEN EDDY AND MOODY. THIS TORNADO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY STORM SPOTTERS. THIS STORM WAS MOVING SOUTH SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH. PERSONS IN TROY...TEMPLE...AND PENDELTON SHOULD TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE IS A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. USE BLANKETS...PILLOWS...OR CUSHIONS TO COVER YOUR BODY. AVOID WINDOWS.
201 PM CDT - SPC CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK ISSUED
...ERN TX/WRN LA... Isolated severe thunderstorms have begun developing over parts of eastern Texas along and ahead of the surface coldfront (refer to Tornado Watch 338). Very steep lapse rates and dry air aloft are in place over this area, with the threat of very large hail and damaging winds with strong storms. The southern extent of strong westerly mid level winds also indicate the threat of supercell thunderstorms. Activity should continue to develop along the southward moving outflow boundaries, with storms likely affecting much of Louisiana through the evening.
216-227 PM CDT - 4TH TORNADO (F0 RATING)
F0 tornado touches down in Bell County near Belton Lake.
227-245 PM CDT - 5TH TORNADO (F3 RATING)
F3 tornado touches down in Bell County near Belton Lake.
230 PM CDT - TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR BELL COUNTY
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX 230 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FORT WORTH HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 315 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS ...BELL COUNTY AT 230 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR DETECTED A TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM BETWEEN TROY AND BELTON. THIS STORM WAS MOVING SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 MPH. RADAR CONTINUES TO INDICATE CIRCULATION AND TORNADOES ARE PROBABLE WITH THIS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE IS A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. USE BLANKETS...PILLOWS...OR CUSHIONS TO COVER YOUR BODY. AVOID WINDOWS.
250-258 PM CDT - 6TH TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado touches down in Bell County near Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
305-310 PM CDT - 7TH TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado touches down in Navarro County near Blooming Grove.
307-325 PM CDT - 8TH TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado touches down in Bell County near Prairie Dell. This storm would eventually go on to produce the F5 Jarrell tornado (Tornado #12) in Williamson County.
325-333 PM CDT - 9TH TORNADO (F2 RATING)
The F1 tornado that touched down in Bell County near Prairie Dell (Tornado #8) briefly lifts then touches down again as a F2 tornado north of Jarrell in Williamson County,
326 PM CDT - SPC MESOSCALE DISCUSSION ISSUED
SPC MESOSCALE DISCUSSION FOR SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS CONCERNING...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL... Cumulus and towering cumulus are developing along the weak cold front extending towards Del Rio where weak surface moisture convergence was noted on the 20z Data. Extreme instability is in place, with surface based CAPE values of 5000-7000 J/KG. Vertical wind profiles are quite weak, with the latest KEWX data showing variable winds at 5-10 knots through 700mb. Degree of instability certainly supports large hail and wind damage, but it is unclear how the tornadic supercell near Temple will evolve as it encounters apparently weak mid level flow over the next few hours. Due to the propagation of this cell and expected rapid development of new convection towards Del Rio, a new Tornado Watch will be required south and west of Watch 338 shortly.
330 PM CDT - TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX 330 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS ...WILLIAMSON COUNTY AT 325 PM A TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED ABOUT 5 MILES WEST OF JARRELL MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH. THIS STORM HAS HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND LARGE HAIL. THE CITY OF JARRELL IS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD. PEOPLE IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES. GO TO THE CENTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR BUILDING...COVER YOUR HEAD. STAY AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS. DO NOT STAY IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...GET INTO A STURDY BUILDING.
331 PM CDT - NEW TORNADO WATCH ISSUED
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 340 STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 331 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 345 PM UNTIL 1000 PM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 145 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 90 MILES SOUTH OF DEL RIO TEXAS TO 35 MILES NORTHWEST OF AUSTIN TEXAS. REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. OTHER WATCH INFORMATION... CONTINUE...WW 336...WW 337...WW 338...WW 339... DISCUSSION...INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY LARGE HAIL...HIGH WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES POSSIBLE THIS EVENING WHERE MODERATE LOW LEVEL INFLOW OF VERY MOIST AIR CONTINUES BENEATH AXIS OF STEEP LOW TO MID LEVEL LAPSE RATES AHEAD OF SOUTHEAST MOVING COLD FRONT. DEEP-LAYERED VERTICAL SHEAR LIMITED...BUT TORNADOES STILL POSSIBLE IN VICINITY OF BOUNDARY INTERSECTIONS.
335-339 PM CDT - 10TH TORNADO (F2 RATING)
The F2 tornado that touched down north of Jarrell (Tornado #9) in Williamson County briefly lifts then touches down again as another F2.
336-340 PM CDT - 11TH TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado touches down in Navarro County near Dawson.
340-353 PM CDT - 12TH TORNADO (F5 RATING)
The F2 tornado that touched down north of Jarrell (Tornado #10) in Williamson County briefly lifts then touches down again as a violent F5 tornado on the west side of Jarrell. 27 residents in the Double Creek Estates subdivision are killed. 12 others are injured.
350-353 PM CDT - 13TH TORNADO (F0 RATING)
F0 tornado touches down in Hill County near Hubbard.
405-415 PM CDT - 14TH TORNADO (F3 RATING)
F3 tornado touches down in Cedar Park in Williamson County and crosses into Travis County. 15 people are injured. Picture was taken by police dash camera capturing the moment the tornado struck a grocery store located behind the gas station.
409 PM CDT - TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR TRAVIS COUNTY
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX 409 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS ...TRAVIS COUNTY AT 405 PM A TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER CEDAR PARK. THIS STORM IS MOVING SOUTH AT 10 MILES AN HOUR. THIS STORM WILL MOVE INTO NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN BY 430 PM. A TORNADO WAS SPOTTED OVER CEDAR PARK IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AT 4 PM. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD. PEOPLE IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES. GO TO THE CENTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR BUILDING...COVER YOUR HEAD. STAY AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS. DO NOT STAY IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...GET INTO A STURDY BUILDING.
415 PM CDT - 15TH TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado briefly touches down in Travis County near Four Points and Lake Travis.
450-458 PM CDT - 16TH TORNADO (F4 RATING)
F4 tornado touches down in Travis County near Lake Travis and Pedernales Valley. One person is killed and five others injured.
458 PM CDT - TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR HAYS COUNTY
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX 458 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS ...HAYS COUNTY AT 455 PM CDT RADAR INDICATED A TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM JUST SOUTH OF LAKEWAY. A TORNDAO HAD BEEN REPORTED AT LAKEWAY AND HIGHWAY 620. THIS STORM IS MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH AND WILL EFFECT THE TOWNS OF DRIPPING SPRINGS...HAYS...BUDA...KYLE...WIMBERLEY AND SAN MARCOS. PEOPLE IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES. GO TO THE CENTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR BUILDING...COVER YOUR HEAD. STAY AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS. DO NOT STAY IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...GET INTO A STURDY BUILDING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM...ACT QUICKLY. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES.
500-600 PM CDT - FLASH FLOOD
Flash flooding occured on Shoal Creek in Austin killing one person.
538-545 PM CDT - 17TH TORNADO (F1 RATING)
F1 tornado touches down in Hays County near Kyle.
700-703 PM CDT - 18TH TORNADO (F0 RATING)
F0 tornado touches down in Uvalde County near Utopia.
730-732 PM CDT - 19TH TORNADO (F0 RATING)
F0 tornado touches down in Kendall County near Sisterdale.
820-823 PM CDT - 20TH AND LAST TORNADO (F0 RATING)
F0 tornado touches down in Frio County near Moore.
803 PM - SEVERE STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS (122 MPH)
A 122 MPH wind gust, associated with straight-line winds, is recorded on the west side of San Antonio at Kelly Air Force Base.
823PM CDT - NEW TORNADO WATCH ISSUED
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 344 STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 823 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 1997 THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING FROM 900 PM UNTIL 300 AM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 140 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 10 MILES WEST NORTHWEST OF SAN ANTONIO TEXAS TO 10 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF ALICE TEXAS. REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...THIS TORNADO WATCH REPLACES TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 340. WATCH NUMBER 340 WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT AFTER 900 PM CDT. CONTINUE...WW 339...WW 342...WW 343... DISCUSSION...COMPLEX OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUES TO PROPAGATE SOUTHWARD ACROSS SOUTHERN TEXAS...WITH OTHER SEVERE STORMS NEAR THE LRD AREA. STORMS ARE MOVING THROUGH VERY UNSTABLE AIR MASS WITH LIFTED INDEX TO -11. ALTHOUGH WINDS ALOFT ARE RELATIVELY WEAK RADARS CONTINUE TO SHOW ROTATION IN SOME STORMS SUGGESTING POTENTIAL FOR A FEW TORNADOES.
856PM CDT - SPC CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK ISSUED
...SOUTH TEXAS... A potent MCS and squall line organizing south of San Antonio should push south into extreme instability, with capes of 4500-6000 J/KG available. Latest VAD wind profiles from KEWX shows a well developed rear inflow jet with 30-35 knot northerlies through about 700 mb. Despite apparently weak ambient vertical windshear ahead of the MCS, degree of CAPE and moderate low level storm relative inflow suggest continued threat of large hail and damaging wind. Isolated bow echoes and/or tornadoes remain a threat.
Map of Tornadoes
Zoom in to see tracks and click icons for additional information about each tornado.
May1997TornadoTracks
F3 Moody Tornado
F3 Belton Lake Tornado
F5 Jarrell Tornado
Drag arrows left and right to see a comparison of reflectvity and velocity data from the Granger's WSR-88D (KGRK). Radar scan was at 3:38 PM CDT as the tornado impacted the northwest side of Jarrell.
On March 21, 2022 an EF-1 tornado impacted some of the same areas struck by the May 27, 1997 F5 tornado.
F3 Cedar Park Tornado
F4 Pedernales Valley Tornado
Personal Accounts
Your Stories
May 27, 1997: Do You Have a Story to Tell?
To mark the remembrance of this tornado outbreak, we would like to hear your stories.
Submitted Stories
May 27, 1997: Do You Have a Story to Tell?
In Memoriam
Jarrell Memorial Park - Memorial Dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 1997 and 1989 Jarrell Tornadoes
Jarrell Tornado
Larry Paul Igo - 4
Joan Lanette Igo - 45
Audrey Frances Igo - 17
John Martin Igo - 15
Paul Wesley Igo - 15
Keith Alan Moehring - 40
Cynthia Ann Moehring - 40
Erik Alan Moehring - 16
Ryan Michael Moehring - 15
Ruth Ann Carmona - 34
Michael Anthony Carmona II - 15
Satyn Maria Carmona - 13
Maria Antonieta Ruiz - 50
John Anothony Ruiz - 15
Michael John Ruiz - 14
Cynthia Layne Smith - 36
Brandi Nicole Smith - 13
Stacy Rene Smith - 10
Bernice Angela Gower - 37
Brian Allen Gower - 11
Emma Jean Mullins - 44
Ryan Will Edward Fillmore - 5
Vicki Linnea Taylor - 36
Johnathon Lyle Kehl - 16
Billy Howard LaFrance, Jr. - 41
Frederick Jeremiah Ripley - 22
Katherine Louise Mayer - 30
Pedernales Valley Tornado
Kevin Hielscher - 25
Austin Shoal Creek Flood
Connie Bigus - 38
