Hail — Calhoun, Arkansas

2021-05-09 · near Chambersville, Calhoun, Arkansas

Event narrative

Ping pong ball size hail was shared on social media.

Wider weather episode

When the wind starts kicking up, there is probably something coming. Such was the case on the 9th, with south to southwest winds gusting from 30 to 40 mph in parts of Arkansas as of 500 am CST. At that time, a cold front was entering the northwest corner of the state from the Plains.

By 1200 pm CST, temperatures ahead of the front were in the mid 70s to lower 80s across the central/southern counties. Dewpoints were in the mid 60s to lower 70s (humid). These were favorable conditions for thunderstorm development, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was posted until 900 pm CDT. It felt like another season behind the front. Thermometers were showing readings in the mid 50s in parts of the Ozark Mountains including Bentonville and Rogers (both in Benton County). Winds had shifted to the north.

The first severe storm of the afternoon tracked from southern Van Buren County into Faulkner County. At 130 pm CST, quarter size hail occurred about six miles north of Enola (Faulkner County). Fifteen minutes later, golf ball to baseball size hail pelted the Mount Vernon (Faulkner County) community.

Between 230 pm and 600 pm CST, the focus shifted farther south. Golf ball size hail came down near Kimberley (Pike County), Chambersville (Calhoun County), and Thornton (Calhoun County). There were ping pong balls at Bearden (Ouachita County), and half dollars at Camden (Ouachita County). Thunderstorm gusts downed trees at Hilo (Bradley County).

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.7300, -92.4100)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 960469. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.