ALERT: Day 3 Storms in Full Force!

UPDATED 5:00 PM CDT

Our thoughts and prayers go out to residents of Moore, OK. The incoming devastation reports we are receiving have been heartbreaking. Unfortunately, we need to inform you that the threat is not over. Supercell thunderstorms are continuing to move towards the northeast, from south central Oklahoma to northeast Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, the TORNADO WATCH remains in effect until 10:00 PM CDT for the central and eastern part of the state. We have numerous tornado warnings that are still in effect across the central and eastern portions of the state. Stay weather aware, and prepare NOW!

Oklahoma Radar with Alerts
Provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet

Important Links
Oklahoma Watches, Warnings, Advisories
Looping Central Oklahoma Radar
Southern Plains Looping Radar
Latest Storm Prediction Center Convective Outlooks
National Weather Service Amarillo, TX
National Weather Service Norman, OK
National Weather Service Tulsa, OK

Today/Tonight
For today, as the cold front starts to pass through the state, high temperatures will begin to cool as we see the invasion of the 70s in the panhandle. The rest of the state will see highs in the 80s, but southwest Oklahoma will still see highs soar as high as the mid-to-upper-90s: quite a temperature contrast.


As previously mentioned, today presents the same story in terms of the severe weather threat. Skies across the state will be partly to mostly cloudy throughout the day. Then, again, during the afternoon, the cloud cover will increase in central and eastern Oklahoma as the storms fire up. The most likely location for severe thunderstorms is in central and eastern Oklahoma on Monday. The Storm Prediction has issued a moderate risk for these areas, and a slight risk surrounds this. All threats are still possible, including an elevated risk for more dangerous TORNADOES. The timing of the storms will be in the late afternoon through evening hours, lasting overnight. Check the graphic above by the National Weather Service office in Norman, OK for the estimated timing of these storms.

THREATS:
Very large hail
Damaging winds
Tornadoes









Tuesday/Tuesday Night

Expect a chance for thunderstorms in central and eastern Oklahoma on Tuesday, with the thunderstorms in central Oklahoma mainly occurring in the morning and early afternoon hours. In eastern Oklahoma, the chance for storms persists throughout the day. The Storm Prediction Center’s slight risk for Tuesday includes southeastern Oklahoma, which means that all residents in this region need to be prepared for strong to severe storms. The timing of severe storm development will be in the late afternoon to evening hours, and damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats, though we cannot rule out the possibility of a tornado. Please remain alert if you live in this region.

Due to the passage of the cold front, highs on Tuesday will be cooler across the state. We say "goodbye" to the 90s and even 80s for a lot of you and "hello" to highs in the mid-to-upper-70s. The 80s will still be in place in the southwest. These cooler highs may remain in place for a couple of days.

THREATS:
Large hail
Damaging winds
Isolated tornadoes


In light of the tornado outbreak in central Oklahoma recently, we urge you to take this severe weather threat very seriously and be prepared for any changing weather conditions as they happen. We will update this blog as necessary to inform you of the latest details. Please know that, although we are unable to put out screencasts in our media department this summer, the National Weather Service office in Norman, OK are providing video briefings, which can be found on their YouTube page HERE. We also want to take this time to clear up any confusion you may have about the terms “slight risk,” “moderate risk,” and “high risk” that are used by the Storm Prediction Center. For more information on what a slight risk is, please click HERE. For more information on what moderate and high risks are, please click HERE. These graphics and information have been provided by the National Weather Service Office in Norman, OK and are available on their Facebook page.

Sources: NWS, SPC, HOOT, Mesonet