Oklahoma faces severe weather, tornado threat

8:00AM UPDATE: It looks like the Storm Prediction Center has dropped the significant tornado risk for today. But keep in mind there is still a 5% tornado risk.

Tornado Risk
Tornado Risk as of 8:00am

It looks like the atmospheric conditions are ripe for some severe weather across parts of central Oklahoma this afternoon.

Thudnerstorm Risk 4/9/13

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a “Moderate” risk and a 10% tornado chance with a hatched area of EF-2 to EF-5 tornadoes possible.

Tornado Risk 4/9/13

It looks like the greatest risk is between Vernon, Texas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

By this afternoon instability levels – or CAPE Values – will be between 1500 J/kg and 3500 J/kg and the effective shear will be well above 45 knots – meaning the atmosphere is capable of producing and sustaining supercell thunderstorms.

Helicity levels are projected to be between 200 m2/s-2 and 500 m2/s-2 which means rotating updrafts are possible and with a reading over 400 m2/s-2, tornadoes are also possible.

If you live in one of these area please have a severe weather plan. Take shelter if a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued for your area.



Author of the article:


Nick Lilja

Nick is former television meteorologist with stints in Amarillo and Hattiesburg. During his time in Hattiesburg, he was also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a graduate of both Oregon State and Syracuse University that now calls Houston home. Now that he is retired from TV, he maintains this blog in his spare time.