OKLAHOMA — Forecasters are warning of a heightened tornado threat across parts of Oklahoma on Saturday, with the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center placing portions of central and eastern Oklahoma under a moderate risk for severe weather.
The outlook, issued early Saturday morning, indicates that severe thunderstorms are expected to develop later in the afternoon and continue into the evening. Conditions across the region are expected to support the development of powerful storms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds.
Meteorologists say the greatest tornado risk will be focused across central and eastern Oklahoma, where atmospheric conditions are expected to become especially favorable for rotating storms. Strong instability, combined with increasing wind shear, is expected to support the development of supercells — storms that can produce tornadoes.
The Storm Prediction Center warned that “a couple of strong tornadoes are possible,” particularly with storms that remain surface-based near a developing warm front across the region.
In addition to the tornado threat, storms are expected to produce very large to giant hail, potentially measuring 2 to 4 inches or more in diameter, along with scattered damaging wind gusts.
Storms are expected to begin forming by mid to late afternoon, with the most intense activity likely during the evening hours as storms track east-southeast across Oklahoma and into surrounding areas.
Forecasters urge residents to stay weather-aware throughout the day, monitor local forecasts and have a plan in place in case warnings are issued.
