Recap of Last Night's Storms

While there surveys to be done and a lot of data to compile, the overnight tornado risk we forecasted certainly materialized. 

There was a tornado in the Oklahoma City area around 5 o'clock this morning. No injuries; we don't yet know the extent of the damage. 

There was scattered damage throughout Kansas and Oklahoma. 

This is a photo of one of several collapsed hangers at the Clinton-Sherman airport in western Oklahoma. 

Last night's storm coverage featured one of the most amazing things I've seen in my 50 years of meteorology.

Meteorologist Lisa Teachman was anchoring the severe weather coverage on KSN TV in Kansas. Meteorologist Erika Paige was in the mobile weather unit. Erika chased down a tornado west of Dodge City at night under difficult conditions. The type of tornado Erika televised is known to meteorologists as a QLCS tornado and they usually occur with poor visibility. The tornado was only visible with lightning. 

Part of the video of the encounter is here;

Think about this: you've been chasing storms for hours. You are tired, likely hungry, it is dark and somewhat dangerous yet you provide this outstanding coverage for your viewers. 

Why is this important? Studies show -- unquestionably -- that people are more likely to take shelter when they see live tornado images. 

This was extraordinary, heroic work: it is dangerous to do this if you don't know what you are doing. 

Congratulations to Erika and Lisa! That is the best of meteorology.