The tornado outbreak of November 16–18, 2015 was a highly unusual nocturnal late-season tornado outbreak that significantly impacted the lower Great Plains on November 16 before producing additional weaker tornadoes across parts of the Southern United States the following two days. The first day of the outbreak spawned multiple strong, long-track tornadoes, including two consecutive EF3 tornadoes that caused major damage near Pampa, Texas. Overall, the outbreak produced 61 tornadoes in all, and was described as by the National Weather Service office in Dodge City, Kansas as being "unprecedented in recorded history for southwest Kansas" given the magnitude and the late season. In addition, the tornado outbreak brought the first November tornadoes into northwest Kansas, and the first strong tornadoes in the Texas Panhandle in November, as well as the further west any F3/EF3 tornadoes touched down this late in the calendar year.November 2015 High Plains tornado outbreak was rare and historic for the region, USTornadoes, November 18, 2015 Despite spawning multiple strong tornadoes after dark, no fatalities and only one minor injury occurred as a result of the outbreak.

Meteorological synopsis

An intense mid-level trough moved from the desert Southwest United States into the south-central High Plains, and low-level flow brought moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into the region, allowing dew points to reach the 50s and low 60s. Strong wind shear supported supercell thunderstorm development.

Confirmed tornadoes

November 16 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, November 16, 2015EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamage(2015 USD) EF0S of UlyssesGrantKS2154–2155A storm chaser reported a brief tornado that caused no damage. EF0ENE of Garden City to WSW of EminenceFinneyKS2314–2320A storm chaser reported a tornado that caused no damage. EF0SE of GrinnellGoveKS2320–2324A trained storm spotter reported a tornado that caused no damage. EF0WSW of GrainfieldGoveKS2330–2332Law enforcement reported a tornado that caused no damage. EF1Grainfield to E of HoxieGove, SheridanKS2334–0003Tornado struck the town of Grainfield, where numerous trees, power lines, and grain bins were damaged. A wood structure sustained damage, an abandoned house had its roof ripped off, and a quonset building was destroyed. A small shop, windows, and sheds were destroyed, and a second home sustained minor damage. EF3NE of Liberal to NE of MontezumaSeward, Meade， GrayKS2338–0056See section on this tornado EF0WSW of GoodnightArmstrongTX2344−2345Storm chasers observed a brief tornado that caused no damage. EF0NNE of SkellytownRobertsTX2344−2345A storm chaser observed a brief tornado that caused no visible damage. EF2S of Alamota to W of Ness CityLane, NessKS2356–0020A large wedge tornado caused substantial damage to a farm, trees, power lines, and fences. EF1SE of SpearmanRobertsTX0005–0015A brief tornado occurred in a very rural area of northwestern Roberts County, causing a windmill to collapse. A witness stated that a funnel was visible for about 10 minutes and the tornado tracked . EF0WNW of GroomCarsonTX0009–0010Storm chasers reported a brief tornado touchdown just west of Groom, causing no visible damage. EF1NE of Plains to N of MisslerMeadeKS0019–0030This was a satellite tornado to the long-track EF3 tornado above. A house, some outbuildings, and irrigation pivot sprinklers were damaged. EF3NNE of Groom to WNW of MiamiGray, RobertsTX0020–0120See section on this tornado EF1NNW of Ness CityNessKS0027–0039Trees, vehicles, power lines, and buildings sustained damage. A historic 115-year-old stone and frame barn was destroyed. EF1LenoraNortonKS0036–0048Tornado moved directly through Lenora, where windows and garage doors were damaged or blown out. An aluminum door was folded and mangled, outbuildings sustained minor damage, and trees were blown through windows. A Nex-Tech building had its roof ripped off. EF2NW of Groom to SE of White Deer Carson, GrayTX0042–0055Strong tornado completely destroyed a well-built metal frame outbuilding. A home had its windows broken and roof decking material removed, with the roof uplifted. Large pieces of wood were embedded in the roof. A large truck was moved . EF0SSE of PerrytonOchiltreeTX0044–0050An emergency manager reported a brief tornado. Little to no damage was observed. EF2E of SeminoleGainesTX0046–0056Power poles, irrigation pivot equipment, and a cotton field were damaged. EF2 damage was inflicted to a well service rig. EF1ESE of Perryton to SW of BookerOchiltreeTX0052–0059Trees, a barbed wire fence, and the roof to a barn sustained damage from this tornado. Three power poles were broken as well. EF2S of Ensign to E of CimarronGray, FordKS0055–0119A well-built metal frame outbuilding was heavily damaged, with its metal supports severely twisted and bent as a result of this large wedge tornado. Numerous power poles were snapped, large trees were uprooted, irrigation pivots were flipped, and three homes sustained roof and window damage. EF1WSW of Booker, TX to S of Elmwood, OKOchiltree (TX), Beaver (OK)TX, OK0100–0108Fence and tree damage was observed near the Texas–Oklahoma state line, and multiple power flashes were observed just west of the town of Booker. EF0S of OgallahTregoKS0106–0109Trees were uprooted, and tree limbs were snapped. EF3E of PampaGrayTX0106–0119See section on this tornado EF1NE of NortonNortonKS0110–0116Twelve electrical poles were downed, a flagpole was bent in half, a trailer house and outbuildings were damaged, and a radio station lost its ability to broadcast. EF0S of BeaverBeaverOK0110–0118Storm chasers observed this tornado that caused no known damage. EF1NE of Pampa to NNW of MiamiGray, RobertsTX0122–0144This tornado paralleled and crossed the path of the first Pampa EF3 tornado and was produced by the same supercell that produced the second Pampa EF3 tornado. Damage was confined to wooden power poles broken in Roberts County. EF1NW of Almena to E of HollingerNorton, FurnasKS, NE0124–0157Trees, power poles, signs, outbuildings, fences, windmills, and small farm machinery were damaged. The western side roof covering was ripped from a barn, and several grain carts on the property were moved. EF0NE of BorgerHutchinsonTX0143–0144A storm chaser observed a brief tornado that touched down over open country, causing no damage. EF0N of Miami to SW of CanadianRoberts, HemphillTX0145–0155This tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. EF0WNW of PanhandlePotterTX0158–0159This brief tornado was reported in an open field in rural eastern Potter County, causing no damage. EF0W of WaKeeneyTregoKS0219–0220A machine shed was destroyed, and bales of feed were moved. EF1NW of Glazier, TX to SSW of May, OKHemphill (TX), Lipscomb (TX), Ellis (OK)TX, OK0220–0313One home sustained roof damage, sheet metal debris from an outbuilding was scattered across a field, and some small power poles were snapped. Oil field equipment and fences were damaged, and multiple trees and tree limbs were snapped along the path as well. Trees and power lines were damaged after the tornado crossed into Oklahoma. EF1SSE of Farnsworth to SSE of PerrytonOchiltreeTX0226–0251Power poles, fences, and a few oil equipment sheds were damaged along the path. EF0SSE of BookerLipscombTX0259–0307This brief tornado was observed in a rural area. Little or no damage occurred due to a lack of structures. EF2SSE of May to NE of SelmanEllis, HarperOK0318–0351A home was damaged, sheds were destroyed, outbuildings were heavily damaged, power poles were broken, and trees were damaged along the path. EF1NNE of Darrouzett, TX to N of LoganBeaverOK0324–0337Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed, and additional homes sustained minimal damage. Numerous power poles and trees were snapped. EF1NW of Freedom, OK to SE of Coldwater, KSWoods (OK), Comanche (KS)OK, KS0409–0438An old home sustained major damage, and buildings at an oil field were destroyed. Trees were snapped, significant tree damage occurred, and farm implements and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed as well. EF1E of ColdwaterComancheKS0438–0447A stretch of power poles were downed. Large branches were broken off trees.

November 17 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, November 17, 2015EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamage(2015 USD) EF0SE of KellerTarrantTX0928–0929Approximately 10 homes sustained minor roof damage, and several trees were downed. EF1SSE of Corinth to NNE of Lake DallasDentonTX0944–0948Several homes sustained minor roof damage, a few homes had their garage doors destroyed, a car wash suffered severe damage, several business signs were damaged or destroyed, and a hotel sustained significant roof damage. EF1E of College StationGrimesTX1053–1104Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. Two trailers were thrown and destroyed, numerous barns, outbuildings, and mobile homes suffered severe damage, and tin and lumber debris were tossed over . EF1E of ChecotahMcIntoshOK1143–1148A number of outbuildings and a chicken house were destroyed, the roofs of several homes were damaged, trees were snapped or uprooted, and power lines were downed. EF1SE of EdwardsHindsMS0333–0335Several trees were snapped or uprooted.

November 18 event