Oklahoma tornado, lightning storm and damage seen in raw videos
Raw videos show severe weather in Oklahoma
Nate Chute, Wochit
Severe thunderstorms and hail are expected to develop Monday afternoon and evening with a medium tornado potential, according to the National Weather Service in Norman.
NWS Norman reports severe weather is expected to develop along a dryline and cold front with a maximum windspeed of 60-80 mph and hail up to baseball sizes.
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A severe thunderstorm has crossed the Red River into Oklahoma.
As of 5:20 pm, the storm is south of Altus moving northeast. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning in advance of the storm.
Additional storms are expected to form in western Oklahoma this evening.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of Oklahoma and parts of northern Texas.
This watch expires at 9 pm
Another tornado watch for western Missouri and eastern Kansas is in effect until 11 pm
Keep an eye out for specific tornado warnings as storms form throughout the afternoon and evening hours.
A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Watches are usually issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather.
- Tornado watch: When a tornado could develop. Watches are usually issued for 4 to 8 hours and typically well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather.
- Tornado warning: When a tornado is indicated by the weather service radar or sighted by spotters. People in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately.
More: Tornado watch or tornado warning: Which is worse? What to know about taking shelter
-Dale Denwalt
No, there are no public tornado shelters in Oklahoma City.
According to the City, this is because of the danger that comes with driving to a shelter during severe weather.
“Many deaths attributable to tornadoes are attributed to being in a vehicle,” according to the City of Oklahoma City. “Traffic congestion from hundreds or thousands of other residents trying to get to public shelters could have tragic consequences.”
Instead, residents are encouraged to shelter in place.
-Jana Hayes
Weather alerts: Tornado watch, tornado warnings issued
You might have seen a new term pop up on social media: gorilla hail.
What does it mean?
Gorilla hail is an imprecise term coined by severe weather storm chaser Reed Timmer to describe very large hailstones. This kind of hail is generated during powerful storms, like the ones forecast for Oklahoma today.
Timmer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing the risk of hail over Oklahoma City and Tulsa, along with other parts of the state.
The National Weather Service forecast hail up to softball size today.
-Dale Denwalt
According to the latest information from NWS Norman, the potential for tornadoes Monday has gone from “low” to “medium,” and central Oklahoma’s risk of severe storms has increased from enhanced to moderate.
“Now is the time to prepare for possible severe weather this afternoon and evening,” the weather service said.
Besides tornadoes, very large hail and damaging winds are possible.
Storms will be moving northeast at 45 to 55 miles per hour, NWS said, and will most likely enter the Oklahoma City area around 5 pm
-Jana Hayes
The Oklahoma City area is in an enhanced risk zone for severe weather, which is most likely to start from 5-10 pm
Areas west of the metro are in a slight or marginal risk with severe weather starting at 4-8 pm, according to NWS Norman.
Earlier Monday morning, showers and isolated thunderstorms were moving across parts of southwestern Oklahoma, according to NWS.
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Closings due to the weather
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