DANGER: SEVERE STORMS EXPLODING!

Severe storms are rapidly firing up across central Oklahoma. Forecasts are leaning more and more towards a significant outbreak of severe weather, including violent and potentially long-lived tornadoes and very large, destructive hail, across central and northeastern Oklahoma beginning NOW and lasting until at least 8 pm. This includes the Oklahoma City metro area and areas that were hit with strong tornadoes in last week’s outbreak. Please do not panic! Be prepared, have plan of action now, and be ready to enact your plan once severe weather strikes. The best place to be during a violent tornado is underground. If you have a storm shelter or know of one nearby, you are best to utilize it.

WARNING: DANGEROUS SITUATION AHEAD!

Forecasts are leaning more and more towards a significant outbreak of severe weather, including violent and potentially long-lived tornadoes and very large, destructive hail, across central and northeastern Oklahoma later this afternoon, beginning around 4 pm and lasting until at least 8 pm. This includes the Oklahoma City metro area and areas that were hit with strong tornadoes in last week’s outbreak. Please do not panic! Be prepared, have plan of action now, and be ready to enact your plan once severe weather strikes. The best place to be during a violent tornado is underground. If you have a storm shelter or know of one nearby, you are best to utilize it.

Severe Weather: It's Not Over Yet!

Unfortunately, we are expecting more severe weather today across parts of the state, following a very active past couple of days. This is due to a slow-moving weather system. With a surface low supporting rising motion currently in place over the Oklahoma-Kansas border, warm, moist air continuing to interact with cool, dry air, and strong winds that are turning with height, storms capable of producing tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds are possible for yet another day across Oklahoma, mainly in the central and eastern portions of the state. Yesterday, we had reports of at least three tornadoes touch down in Oklahoma, including one in Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa, which caused some damage and injuries. Numerous hail and damaging wind reports were also recorded, along with a couple of instances of flooding.

ALERT: More Severe Weather Firing Up Today

ATTENTION: A TORNADO WATCH is in effect for a large portion of central and eastern Oklahoma until 10 PM CDT. Supercell thunderstorms are currently firing up around the Oklahoma City metro area, as today is the third day of another multi-day severe weather outbreak across Oklahoma and the Plains. We are watching out for more severe weather today, primarily in central and eastern Oklahoma as the dry line pushes eastward. Yesterday, the tornado threat was kept to a minimum across Oklahoma. According to the National Weather Service Storm Report page, only one tornado was reported in the state, which touched down about 11 miles south-southeast of Sayre, OK in the western part of the state. On the contrary, we had numerous reports of strong wind gusts, some wind damage, and hail from severe thunderstorms that rolled through the state yesterday evening through the overnight hours.

ALERT: Significant Chance for Severe Weather Today

The environment was more stable over Oklahoma yesterday than we were anticipating, thus leading to limited thunderstorm development. We had some strong to severe storms in far northwest Oklahoma and the panhandle in the evening, but those quickly moved towards the northeast into Kansas. The rest of the state saw no action. This does not mean the threat is over! Today we are dealing with an environment that is much more unstable and supportive of dangerous supercell thunderstorms, enhanced by daytime heating and strong upper-level winds. We will also have a trough and associated cold front interact with warm, moist air surging northward from the Gulf of Mexico and a surface low move right over the Oklahoma panhandle. Additionally, a dry line will be in place in the Texas panhandle tonight and will move quite slowly eastward over the next few days, allowing violent thunderstorms to fire up ahead of it during the afternoon and evening hours not only today but for the next few days, thus providing for a multi-day threat for the state of Oklahoma and surrounding Plains states that will last through at least Friday.

Another Round of Severe Weather This Week

BEWARE: We are watching out for more severe weather this week as the “ingredients” all come together once again: warm, moist air surging northward from the Gulf of Mexico, an advancing trough and associated cold front from the west, and a surface low near the Oklahoma-Kansas border. Additionally, a dry line will be in place in western Oklahoma along the Oklahoma-Texas border and will move quite slowly eastward over the next few days, allowing violent thunderstorms to fire up during the afternoon and evening hours. This will, again, provide for a multi-day threat for the state of Oklahoma and surrounding Plains states that will last through at least Friday.

Memorial Weekend Forecast

The holiday weekend has finally arrived, and we hope you enjoy it. For those of you staying in Oklahoma for the long weekend, we have your forecast right here. Despite a slight chance for thunderstorms in the early part of the weekend, conditions should otherwise be quite pleasant, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures right around normal for this time of year. We will now step through the next few days one at a time, but here is a quick overview first.

Moore EF5 Tornado: Information and Resources

ALERT: Flooding Rains Hinder Tornado Cleanup Efforts

Following persistent heavy rain this morning across the Oklahoma City metro, flash flooding is now a concern across the area and may hinder recovery efforts for Moore. The heavy rains have finally ended and are moving towards the east, but a FLASH FLOOD WARNING will remain in effect until 12:45 PM CDT when the water finally begins to recede. Heavy rain is still pelting areas north of the Oklahoma City metro, however. You can see the latest 24-hour rainfall accumulations from the Oklahoma Mesonet HERE.

LATEST UPDATE: What Lies Ahead?

More severe weather is expected across parts of Oklahoma as early as tonight and tomorrow, so please stay weather aware. The location of the severe weather will be in central and western Oklahoma tonight. Currently the timing of any scattered thunderstorms which develop tonight will be around 3 am to 10 am tomorrow morning. If you are involved in recovery efforts from Monday’s tornado in Moore or Sunday’s tornadoes in Shawnee and Arcadia, watch the weather closely. The tornado threat at this point is low, but we cannot rule the threat for them out completely. Damaging winds and large hail to the size of golf balls are the primary threats of any storms that do develop tonight and tomorrow.

LATEST: Moore Tornado Aftermath

 

As the sun finally shines over a heartbroken city, survivors from Monday’s deadly EF5 tornado in Moore are still searching through rubble, trying to find out what is left of their property and what the road to recovery will be like. The death toll is still sitting at 24, with 9 of those being children. At this point, officials are almost certain they have found any missing bodies. Below you can find more links for the latest developments on this tragedy. If you are familiar with the Moore area, the National Weather Service has provided an interactive map showing the exact path of the tornado and the damage in particular places. You can find links to this interactive map under the “INTERACTIVE” section below.

UPDATE: EF5 Damage Reported in Moore

The multi-day severe weather outbreak has left total devastation across the state of Oklahoma. For those residents of Arcadia and Shawnee who were impacted by Sunday’s tornadoes, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. For those residents of Moore, OK who were impacted by Monday’s violent tornado, we are also keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The devastation we have seen from this monster tornado has been indescribable. Current reports are saying that the death toll is still sitting at 24, with 9 of the deaths being children as two elementary schools took a direct hit. However, this is not set-in-stone, and with crews being sent to search through the aftermath, this number may rise again. At least 320 people have been injured. Please note that all these numbers are preliminary and will be revised as more information is gathered by the minute. However, with National Weather Service survey crews dispatched today to further assess the damage, the rating on this tornado was upgraded to an EF5, with winds up to 210 mph. Here is the latest information on what we know so far from this deadly tornado tragedy.

UPDATE: TRAGEDY in Moore, More Storms Today

The multi-day severe weather outbreak has left total devastation across the state of Oklahoma. For those residents of Arcadia and Shawnee who were impacted by Sunday’s tornadoes, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. For those residents of Moore, OK who were impacted by Monday’s violent tornado, we are also keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The devastation we have seen from this monster tornado has been indescribable. Current reports are saying that the death toll has been revised down from 51 to 24, with 9 of the deaths being children as two elementary schools took a direct hit. However, with crews being sent to search through the aftermath, this number may rise again. At least 320 people have been injured, including at least 45 children. Please note that all these numbers are preliminary and will be revised as more information is gathered by the minute. The National Weather Service has given this tornado a preliminary rating of EF4 with winds at 200 mph, but survey crews are being dispatched today to further assess the damage and potentially upgrade the rating. Here is the latest information on what we know so far from this deadly tornado tragedy.

UPDATE: DEVASTATION in Moore, More Storms Today

The multi-day tornado outbreak has left total devastation across the state of Oklahoma. For those residents of Arcadia and Shawnee who were impacted by Sunday’s tornadoes, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. For those residents of Moore, OK who were impacted by Monday’s violent tornado, we are also keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The devastation we have seen from this monster tornado has been indescribable. Current reports are saying that the death toll has been revised down from 51 to at least 24, with some of the deaths being children as two elementary schools took a direct hit. However, with crews being sent to search through the aftermath, this number may rise again. At least 320 people have been injured, including at least 45 children. Please note that all these numbers are preliminary and will be revised as more information is gathered by the minute. The National Weather Service has given this tornado a preliminary rating of EF4 with winds at 200 mph, but survey crews are being dispatched today to further assess the damage and potentially upgrade the rating. Here is the latest information on what we know so far from this deadly tornado tragedy.

DEVASTATION in Moore

The multi-day tornado outbreak has left total devastation across the state of Oklahoma. For those residents of Arcadia and Shawnee who were impacted by Sunday’s tornadoes, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. For those residents of Moore, OK who were impacted by Monday’s violent tornado, we are also keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The devastation we have seen from this monster tornado has been indescribable. Current reports are saying that 51 people have lost their lives, with 20 of those being children as two elementary schools took a direct hit. The National Weather Service has given this tornado a preliminary rating of EF4, but survey crews are being dispatched tomorrow to further assess the damage and potentially upgrade the rating. Here is the latest information on what we know so far from this deadly tornado tragedy.

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!

UPDATE 2: Day 3 of Multi-Day Outbreak

UPDATED 12:30 PM CDT

Our thoughts go out to those who were affected by the tornadoes in central Oklahoma Sunday evening. National Weather Service crews have been dispatched today to survey the damage and assign a rating to the violent tornadoes near Arcadia and Shawnee. Currently, the National Weather Service office in Norman, OK has provided a graphic showing the preliminary tracks of these two tornadoes, which can be found HERE. Please note that this graphic is only preliminary and will be updated as more information is gathered. In addition to these tornadoes, reports of large hail and damaging winds were also reported from the storms in Oklahoma on Sunday. An interactive map of preliminary storms reports for Sunday, May 19 can be found HERE.

UPDATE: Day 3 of Multi-Day Outbreak

Our thoughts go out to those who were affected by the tornadoes in central Oklahoma Sunday evening. On Monday, National Weather Service crews will likely be sent out to survey the damage and assign a rating to the violent tornadoes near Arcadia and Shawnee. Currently, the National Weather Service office is Norman, OK has provided a graphic showing the preliminary tracks of these two tornadoes, which can be found HERE. Please note that this graphic is only preliminary and will be updated as more information is gathered. In addition to these tornadoes, reports of large hail and damaging winds were also reported from the storms in Oklahoma today. An interactive map of preliminary storms reports for Sunday, May 19 can be found HERE.

LATEST: Day 2 of Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Saturday was only the beginning of a multi-day severe weather outbreak across not only the state of Oklahoma but all of the Plains. Though no tornadoes were reported in the state of Oklahoma Saturday, we did have reports of tornadoes from these storms in Kansas and Nebraska. However, today is a different story. A confirmed tornado was reported in Edmond, OK just some time ago, and a violent tornado is being reported northeast of Oklahoma City at this time. This tornado threat is expected to ramp up for the rest of today and on Monday. Storms of the severe nature will threaten central and parts of eastern Oklahoma, as many of the severe storms that developed Saturday weakened and lost severe characteristics by the time they advanced out of western Oklahoma. We already have seen severe thunderstorms firing up in northwest and central Oklahoma, moving towards the east-northeast. Again, one of these storms has been tornadic. NOW is the time to prepare!

Multi-Day Severe Threat Continues

Saturday was only the beginning of a multi-day severe threat across not only the state of Oklahoma but all of the Plains. Though no tornadoes were reported in the state of Oklahoma Saturday, we did have reports of tornadoes from these storms in Kansas and Nebraska. The tornado threat will be much greater in Oklahoma on Sunday and likely on Monday. Storms of the severe nature will also threaten central and parts of eastern Oklahoma, as many of the severe storms that developed Saturday weakened and lost severe characteristics by the time they advanced out of western Oklahoma.

HOT, Followed by SEVERE

UPDATED 5/18/13 1:00 PM CDT

Ironically, our last blog post was about how cool spring has been so far. Well, the relatively cool temperatures we have seen for the past couple of months and even the past couple of days will give way to warm, or should we say HOT, temperatures for the next few days as a ridge of high pressure dominates across the region. Then, a trough and associated cold front will push eastward across the state, bringing not only more seasonable temperatures for the start of the week but also a significant threat for severe weather from late Saturday afternoon through Tuesday. The eastward-moving trough will interact with warm air and abundant moisture surging northward from the Gulf of Mexico, providing instability in the atmosphere. We expect the severe weather to occur primarily during the late-afternoon and evening hours due to a capping inversion, the increase of temperature with height, in place during the morning hours. Once the capping inversion vanishes as the days progress, storms will begin to fire and will be quite dangerous. We will now step through the next few days one at a time to give you all the details, but first, here is a quick overview.

Special Story: A Cool Start to Spring

If you have the notion that this spring has been off to a cool start, you would be correct. Sure, we have had our share of 70s and 80s; highs have even crept up into the 90s in parts of southwest Oklahoma. But weekly cold blasts, causing temperatures to plummet anywhere from 20 to 30 degrees below normal, and slow recoveries from the cold blasts have left spring unseasonably cool so far. Let us examine some of the numbers below to see just how cold spring has been for Oklahoma City for March and April.

Heads Up: Severe Weather Threat Returns

Due to final examinations, we have not been able to update the blog recently, and we apologize for that. We hope all of you who are taking exams this week are doing well! We must, however, make you aware of the return of severe weather, which will last from this afternoon through tomorrow night for parts of Oklahoma. The threats posed will be primarily damaging winds and hail, but we cannot rule out the possibility of a tornado. Therefore, please keep an eye on the sky for the next couple of days and have a plan should severe weather strike your area.

EXTREME COLD BLAST!

 

Now is the time to say “so long” to unseasonably warm, summer-like temperatures for at least the next several days. A very strong cold front as the result of a trough is currently pushing eastward across the state of Oklahoma. Behind the front, we have unseasonably cold arctic air, being fueled by strong northerly winds. Rain, with wintry precipitation farther north, is also expected across much of the core of the state from tonight through Thursday night and Friday morning. Therefore, to be blunt, Thursday will be a downright miserable day. On Friday, skies will start to clear for the central and west, but temperatures will still remain well below normal. In fact, from the looks of the current forecast, we may have to wait an entire week before we see temperatures return to near-normal. So unfortunately, a new month has not brought a change in the frequent cold blasts we had to endure through March and April.