Today's Tornado Risk

We have a tornado risk in the South and in Tornado Alley, the latter has been rare in 2023. A derecho may also occur from western Kansas to north Texas.

The yellow area has an enhanced risk of tornadoes. The two brown areas have significant risks of tornadoes. 

There is also another extreme risk of damaging winds (purple, hatched area) from far southwest Kansas to the Red River. This includes Woodward, Enid, Oklahoma City, Norman and Ardmore.

Wherever you see the hatching, wind gusts of 75 mph or stronger are possible. In the other colored areas, winds of 60 mph or more are forecast. Much of this same area can expect large hail. 

Yesterday's extreme wind risk still has ~300,000 people without power. 

I will update again early this afternoon. In the meantime, here are safety suggestions:

Here is how to prepare:

• Call friends and relatives to make sure they are aware of the threat, especially if they live in a mobile home. 
• Make sure you have at least three ways of receiving storm warnings. 
• If you live in a mobile home, you may wish to move spend time with a friend or relative when a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch is issued. 
• Ask yourself what you would need if you were without electricity for five days. In some areas it will be longer, but five days is a good planning target.
• If you have a chain saw, fill it with fuel.
• Any essential foods or medicines should be taken care of immediately, well before the storms arrive. 
• Keep the kids in close communication. 
• Bring in lawn furniture, trampolines or anything else that can blow away. 
• Put the car in the garage.