Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across Oklahoma: Tornadoes and Large Hail Possible

Oklahoma Severe Weather

Source: KOCO

Tornado Warnings in Effect

As of Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service has issued several tornado warnings across various counties in Oklahoma. The alerts indicate that severe storms are tracking their way through the state, carrying the potential for tornadoes and large hail.

Current Warnings and Areas Affected

– A tornado warning remains in effect until 6:30 p.m. for:

Northeastern Garvin County
Northwestern Pontotoc County
Southeastern McClain County

The areas that could be impacted include Stratford, Byars, and Vanoss.

– Additional alerts include warnings for areas such as:

Southwestern Atoka County until 6:30 p.m. (impacted areas: Caney, Bentley)
Northeastern Garvin County and north-central Murray County until 5:45 p.m. (impacted areas: Pauls Valley, Wynnewood, Paoli, Whitebead)

According to Meteorologist Damon Lane, residents are advised to take precautions immediately to ensure safety as conditions could become dangerous rapidly.

Storm Predictions and Potential Hazards

The severe storms are anticipated to bring substantial risks, including:

– Large hail up to golf ball and even baseball sizes in some locations
– Damaging winds reaching 60 mph or more
– Tornado activity primarily concentrated in southern and southwestern Oklahoma

Meteorologist Joseph Neubauer notes that while Saturday presents a higher risk of severe weather, the tornado index for most areas in Oklahoma is relatively low at a 2 out of 10.

Timeline for Severe Weather

Residents should be mindful of the timing of these outbreaks:
– Storms are expected to develop as early as 2 p.m., intensifying in southern and western Oklahoma by 4 p.m.
– The OKC metro area will likely experience severe weather from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
– The severe storms will continue moving northeast, impacting northern and northeastern regions by 8 p.m. and finally tapering off by midnight.

What to Expect Sunday and Monday

The threat of severe weather will persist into Sunday and Monday:
– On **Sunday**, areas like Enid, Alva, and Ponca City will experience enhanced risks, including possible hail and tornadoes. The tornado index may increase to 6 in these regions.

– **Monday** is likely to be the peak day for severe weather across Oklahoma. An enhanced risk has been issued for the central to eastern parts of the state, including the major cities such as Oklahoma City, Enid, and Tulsa. The risk of tornadoes is prominent, particularly during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Preparedness Tips

To ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones during these severe weather conditions, consider the following preparedness tips:

– Stay updated with the latest weather alerts and changes.
– Have an emergency kit ready containing essentials such as water, food, and medical supplies.
– Identify your safe shelter area away from windows, ideally in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor.

Residents should remain vigilant and prepared as the situation develops over the coming days.

Stay Informed

For continuous updates, watch KOCO 5 coverage and ensure you have the KOCO 5 App downloaded for customized weather alerts.

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severe weather, tornado warnings, Oklahoma storms, hail risk, weather alerts, Oklahoma weather, tornado preparedness, parental safety, storm tracking, KOCO news