Serious Tornado and Damaging Wind Threat Friday and Friday Night

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This forecast is valid from 8am Friday to 6am Saturday.

 Tornado Risk
The brown area has a significant tornado risk. The yellow area has an enhanced risk.
As of 12:40am, I have updated the forecast, based on new data, to take the enhanced tornado risk north to include Tulsa, Muskogee, Ft. Smith and Fayetteville. I've also taken the significant tornado risk area into southeast Kansas and southeast Missouri including Pittsburg and Joplin. 

Damaging Wind Risk
There is a high risk of damaging winds. In the hatched area, forecast wind gusts are in excess of 75 mph!
The yellow area has a significant risk. Red is a high risk and purple is an extreme risk of damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.

How to Prepare.
  • Make sure you have fresh batteries for your weather radio.
  • Keep your laptop and cell phone charged until you hear thunder. After that time, a power surge is possible which might damage your equipment. 
  • Clear your shelter area of any obstacles. Put a couple of bottles of water inside.
  • Remember to wear shoes into shelter. 
  • You should have at least two independent sources for warnings beyond sirens. Examples would be a NOAA weather radio and the AccuWeather app on your smartphone. Make sure you take these to your bedroom if you are under a tornado watch when you retire for the night. The two make a pretty good "tornado alarm." 
  • Prepare for power failures in the purple/hatched area. 

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