Thursday, May 19, 2011

Severe Weather Update - OKC Metro Area

***Update, 8:10 PM CDT


Severe thunderstorms are advancing into southwest portions of the OKC Metro area at this time.  This activity is moving Northeast to East/Northeast at 20-25 mph, and will overspread the metro area over the next hour.


The white arrows on the velocity image above shows the general direction of movement of a band of 50-60 mph winds out along the leading edge of the strongest activity.  Large hail, very heavy rain and dangerous lightning can also be expected.  Isolated tornadoes also cannot be ruled out, although no organized circulations are currently indicated on radar.


***Update, 7:35 PM CDT


The above image was just taken from the OKC area radar.  You can see a band of severe thunderstorms moving East/Northeast at 25 mph to the immediate Southwest of the OKC Metro area.

If this activity continues on its present track, it will impact the OKC Metro area during the 8 o'clock hour.  Based again on the present direction of movement, the strongest storms would affect southern portions of the metro area.

Strong, gusty winds and large hail are likely with this activity.  The storms have also periodically indicated low level rotation on radar that could result in a tornado.

If you live in the path of these storms, seek immediate shelter.



***Update on Northern-Most Storm, 6:25 PM CDT:

A very strong circulation is indicated by radar (see image below) just Northeast of Fort Cobb, moving East/Northeast at 25 mph:


The most dangerous (with respect to tornado potential) part of this storm will move over or very near Gracemont, Spring Creek and immediately Southeast of Cogar, based on the present track.

There is a chance this storm may start turning more toward an Easterly direction of movement over the next 10-15 minutes.  Persons to the "right" of the above mentioned track should remain alert should this happen...

----------------------------Original post follows below--------------------------



The above image was just taken from the Frederick, OK area radar.  The left half of the image shows the radar in reflectivity (rain, hail, etc.) mode, while the right half shows the radar in velocity (wind speed/direction) mode.  There are two tornadic circulations on the images, according to radar.  One is very near Ft. Cobb, and the other is directly East of Cooperton.

The image below is the same as above, except with current Tornado Warnings shown:


The Northern-most storm is currently moving toward the Northeast at 25 mph. Gracemont and Spring Creek are in the path of the potentially tornadic portion of this storm at present movement.

The Southern-most storm is currently moving toward the East at 25 mph.  On its present track, the part of this storm with the most tornadic potential will pass just North of Meers, toward the Boone & Apache areas (or immediately to the South of these areas).  It may also eventually affect the Cyril, Fletcher and Elgin areas.  

This storm has shown a tendency to start turning toward the East/Southeast of its present track in the last few minutes, so residents along and ahead and to the "right" of the above cities should stay alert & be prepared to seek shelter.

3 comments:

The Planet Pink said...

Waiting to see if these hold together enough to make it to Tulsa. Plain old thunderstorms are fine. Anything else is NOT welcome! :-)

Rob White said...

Planet Pink....I wouldn't worry about tonight. Tomorrow is going to be your day. But it could well turn out to be another sloppy mess like last time. Stay tuned....

The Planet Pink said...

Yep, holding out hope for a repeat sloppy mess! But ready for worse... Thank you!