The National Weather Service issued a high-risk severe weather outlook for Oklahoma and Kansas, warning of potential tornadoes and grapefruit-sized hail. This alert comes only a week after Oklahoma experienced large tornadoes and severe flooding. Meteorologists are urging residents to establish safety plans as the storm system approaches. The NWS predicts a regional outbreak of severe weather, including strong tornadoes and large hail, to hit the south-central Plains later in the day.
According to meteorologist Matthew Cappucci, the risk level for tornadoes in Oklahoma and Kansas is the highest possible, with the potential for violent, long-track tornadoes and grapefruit-sized hail. Grapefruit-sized hail, with a diameter of 4.5 inches, is considered rare and can cause extensive damage, including destroying a shingle roof and damaging the underlying decking. The NWS office in Norman, Oklahoma, issued a warning for the high-risk area, urging residents to plan for the dangerous atmospheric conditions.
This high-risk alert is the first of its kind since March 2023 and marks the first for the Oklahoma and Kansas region since May 2019. Meteorologists are emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, with intense, long-track tornadoes expected to impact the area in the evening. Safety measures for those in the high-risk area include staying within 5 minutes of a below-ground shelter, keeping cellphones charged, wearing closed-toed shoes for climbing over debris, and having multiple ways to receive warnings. Other regions in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arkansas are also under various levels of risk for severe weather.
The incoming storm system poses a significant threat to the region, with the potential for destructive tornadoes and damaging hail. It is important for residents to heed warnings from meteorologists and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The high-risk alert underscores the severity of the weather situation and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather events in the central U.S. It is crucial for individuals in the affected areas to be prepared and vigilant as the storm system approaches.
