Significant Severe Weather, Including Tornadoes, Likely Friday through Sunday in the Central and Southern Plains...

As feared, conditions continue to present themselves in a such a way as to indicate a significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, on Friday and Saturday across the central and southern Plains.  A threat of severe weather will then shift Southward and Eastward by Sunday and into Monday as well...

Below is the latest severe weather outlook for Friday from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK.  Severe storms are forecast within the yellow shaded areas on the image:

"Significant" severe weather, which includes hail of 2 inches in diameter or greater, wind gusts of 70 mph or higher, and/or tornadoes is likely within the black hatched area on the same image.

Severe storms are forecast to develop near the Western edge of the outlook area by mid-afternoon Friday, and move Eastward during the late afternoon and evening hours.  The threat may well continue in to the night and pre-dawn hours on Saturday toward the Eastern edges of the severe weather outlook area.

For Saturday, the same general area will be affected, however as stronger dynamics approach the region from the West, the magnitude of the event will likely be even greater than what will have taken place the day before.

Severe storms are likely within the yellow shaded area on Saturday, with a pronounced risk of significant severe storms and tornadoes within the red, purple and black hatched area on the image below:

Within the "pronounced" risk area, very large hail, damaging winds and long track and/or strong tornadoes are possible Saturday afternoon and evening.  This elevated threat of significant severe weather includes the cities of Salina, Wichita, Hutchinson, Ponca City, Enid, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton and Wichita Falls.

The risk of severe weather will continue into the nighttime hours Saturday and pre-dawn hours Sunday near the Eastern edge of the severe weather risk area.  Make sure that you have a way to receive severe weather warnings at night if you live in these areas.

By Sunday, the threat will shift Eastward and Southward a bit, with the primary risk of severe storms - and tornadoes - extending from Missouri across eastern Oklahoma, western Arkansas and into central Texas:

Folks living across the severe weather threat areas should closely monitor weather conditions on Friday through at least Sunday.  Make sure to review severe weather safety and preparedness tips, that way you're ready ahead of time and can take quick action if threatening weather approaches your area.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation continues to unfold...

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