Deadly tornado reported in Oklahoma after barrage of destructive storms

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of Iowa, including Des Moines, as well as parts of Nebraska and South Dakota.

The tornado watch lasts until 3 a.m. CDT, with “a couple tornadoes possible,” according to the NWS. Ping-pong size hail and scattered gusts of wind moving up to 75 miles per hour are also possible.

Over a million people live in the watch area, says the NWS. The area under watch includes Des Moines, Ames and Sioux City in Iowa.

Tornadoes can happen at any time, and as the National Weather Service reminded Oklahoma residents this evening, they aren’t always visible.

“The tornadoes across north central Oklahoma have been heavily wrapped in rain, and soon we will be dark,” the weather service said on X. “You can’t rely on waiting to see tornadoes before sheltering tonight.”

Here’s how the National Weather Service suggests to prepare for these severe storms:

You can find more tips from the weather service here.

In eastern Texas, at least two people are dead after intense deluges and record river flooding.

A man died after being swept away in floodwaters in Bosque County, approximately 60 miles south of Dallas-Fort Worth. A 4-year-old boy also died in floodwaters near Fort Worth on Sunday.

The second death was announced by Bosque County law enforcement Monday afternoon.

A woman called 911 dispatch early Sunday morning after she was unable to make contact with her husband, according to the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office.The woman said “her husband had exited the residence to check on the rising water near their home, an RV located near a creek,” according to the sheriff’s office. 

Flooding in the area hindered emergency responders from getting to the scene, but eventually they were able to rescue the woman. They also “located the body of the husband who had been swept away in the rushing water and drowned,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on Facebook. 

Authorities did not share the victim’s identity.

“Our prayers are with the family as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” Sheriff Trace Hendricks said.

One forecast model depiction of how storms could move through the Oklahoma City area Monday night.

Dangerous storms are tracking across Oklahoma and will approach the state’s capital in the next few hours.

The most likely timing for severe weather to begin in the Oklahoma City area is around 10 p.m. CDT. This estimate has shifted back several hours from initial forecasts as the storms are tracking east a bit slower than originally expected.

As storms move through the area tonight, damaging wind gusts, large hail and tornadoes are possible. Oklahoma City remains within the Level 5 of 5 risk area for severe thunderstorms, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

A tornado has been spotted southeast of Okeene, Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado is “heavily wrapped in rain,” the weather service said.

The service urged people living near Lacey, Bison or Waukomis to “take shelter now.”

“Very large hail is possible with this storm,” forecasters cautioned earlier.

A tornado warning – which means a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar – has been issued for the city of Enid and the towns of Helena and Lahoma in Oklahoma until 6:30 p.m. local time, the National Weather Service says.

“The potential for tornadoes is increasing as storms move eastward across northern Oklahoma,” the weather service office in Norman, Oklahoma, said on X, adding, “Don’t let your guard down!”

The risk of severe weather tonight in southern Kansas and central Oklahoma is dangerously high, with National Weather Service forecasters putting the probability of two or more tornadoes at over 95%.

And probability of at least one strong tornado – EF2 to EF5 – is at 90%, according to the NWS office in Norman, Oklahoma.

The chance of 10 or more storms with hail larger than 1 inch is also high, at 80%, and 10 or more severe wind events (58 mph or stronger) at 70%, the office said.

Strong storms are ongoing in parts of western Oklahoma, but the worst storms are now expected to arrive in Oklahoma City and other parts of central and eastern Oklahoma a couple of hours later than previously thought, according to the National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma.

Previous forecast guidance called for the “most likely” arrival of storms in the Oklahoma City area at around 5 p.m. CDT. Now, those storms are expected around 7 p.m. local time.

Here’s the latest thinking:

Storms as of 5 p.m. CDT. Tornado warnings in red; severe thunderstorm warnings in yellow.

Tonight’s storms are still in their infancy, with numerous severe thunderstorm warnings from south central Nebraska through central Kansas and into western Oklahoma. 

A tornado warning near Waynoka, Oklahoma, is the first tornado warning in a Level 4 of 5 or Level 5 “high risk” area. 

These storms will continue to mature in the coming hours with the peak of this event this evening, including the hours after dark, which are notoriously dangerous.

Satellite imagery captured a line of severe thunderstorms roaring to life across western Kansas, western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle this afternoon.

In the loop below, some of these storms develop seemingly out of nowhere, but their development is actually happening along what’s known as a dry line.

A dry line marks the boundary between very dry air and very moist air, similar to a how a front is the boundary between warm and cool air.

It’s a very frequent feature of springtime weather in the Plains and many severe thunderstorms get their start along it before tracking east and growing stronger.

All eyes are on the Plains as a major severe thunderstorm event gets underway. The worst storms of the day are expected to develop within the next few hours, but even so, almost a dozen states have endured severe thunderstorms since the early afternoon. 

The main risk for severe thunderstorms today still stretches from Texas to the Dakotas, but damaging thunderstorms have also developed in the northern Rockies and parts of the East.

Severe thunderstorms in parts of the Southeast, Tennessee Valley and mid-Atlantic are being fueled by a combination of very moist air and peak daytime heating. 

Severe warnings have been issued in the following states since 12 p.m. EDT:

Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia.

A tornado watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for more than 2 million people living in eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, northeastern Kansas and extreme northwestern Missouri until 11:00 p.m. CDT.

The watch includes areas hard-hit by devastating tornadoes in the last couple of weeks, including Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. 

Storms that move across the area could produce “a few tornadoes and a couple of intense tornadoes” along with 75 mph damaging winds and egg-sized hail, according to the Storm Prediction Center. 

There are now three tornado watches in effect for more than 6 million people across six states in the Central US.

Although few severe storms have fired up yet, parts of the Plains are still on the precipice of a very serious severe thunderstorm outbreak. Storms are developing from Oklahoma to the Dakotas and will get more dangerous through the evening.

The forecast from earlier in the afternoon remains on track in the latest Storm Prediction Center update, with some of the most fearsome storms likely in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas. 

Multiple intense tornadoes of at least EF3 strength are expected in Oklahoma and Kansas, but tornadoes of any kind are possible from Texas north to the Dakotas and east into Illinois.

Severe thunderstorms are developing in far western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. These storms will only get stronger as they track east through much of Oklahoma this evening and into the overnight. 

Intense, long-lasting tornadoes — some of which could be EF3 or stronger — are possible across a large portion of Oklahoma and Kansas, especially later this evening. 

A rare “particularly dangerous situation” tornado watch calling for “numerous tornadoes” has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for parts of south-central Kansas, central Oklahoma – including Oklahoma City – until 11 p.m. CDT.

This is a special kind of tornado watch issued only when there’s unusually high confidence in the potential of multiple long-lived and strong tornadoes in the area.

“Numerous tornadoes (are) expected with a few intense tornadoes likely,” the Storm Prediction Center said. “Intense tornadoes are probable especially as the atmosphere becomes very favorable for tornadoes late this afternoon and continuing through the evening.”

The watch also calls for “explosive thunderstorm development” with damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph and very large softball-sized hail likely.

Tornado watches are issued to signal to people in a given area that they should prepare for tornadoes in the area in coming hours. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is imminent or in progress.

Storms move over parts of Nebraska and Kansas around 1:45 p.m. CDT Monday.

Severe thunderstorms have bubbled up to form a lengthy line from southern Nebraska into central Kansas. The storms are packing 60-mph wind gusts and hail the size of quarters and half dollars, according to National Weather Service warnings.

Storms will continue to develop along the northern and southern edge of the current line throughout the afternoon, stretching across more of Nebraska and Kansas.

A few severe thunderstorms have also developed in western South Dakota. One storm about 40 miles north of Rapid City prompted a tornado warning.

The University of Oklahoma campus in Norman will close at 3:30 p.m. CDT due to the potential for severe weather, the university said in a Monday statement.

Instructors will work with students to reschedule any final exams that were planned for after 3:30 p.m.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will close at 3 p.m. CDT due to the weather, the university said.

Both campuses have a rare high risk for severe thunderstorms — Level 5 of 5 —covering parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, including Oklahoma City. The most likely timing for the powerful storms could start around 5 p.m. CDT and end around 12 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

A tornado watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for more than 430,000 people living in Nebraska and north-central Kansas until 7:00 p.m. CDT.

“A strong tornado or two is possible later this afternoon, mainly across portions of north-central Kansas into south-central Nebraska as the environment becomes increasingly favorable for tornadoes,” the SPC said.

Damaging wind gusts and large to very large hail are also possible within any thunderstorms in the watch area.

Multiple intense tornadoes of at least EF3 strength are expected in parts of the Plains later this afternoon and evening, according to the latest severe thunderstorm forecast issued by the Storm Prediction Center. These tornadoes could also rage for miles at a time.

The center had previously warned strong tornadoes of at least EF2 strength were likely, but has grown more confident extremely powerful tornadoes will occur.

Around 85% of all tornado deaths happen in EF3 or stronger tornadoes, according to NOAA. These stronger tornadoes are also responsible for the majority of deaths and significant damage, even to well-constructed buildings.

Severe thunderstorms have started to bubble to life in northwestern Kansas and will likely initiate soon in southern Nebraska. These storms will expand in coverage and strength throughout the afternoon.

A very significant risk for severe thunderstorms is in place for parts of Oklahoma and Kansas today. Dangerous storms are likely to develop around mid-afternoon and grow stronger through the evening for areas located within the Level 4 of 5 and Level 5 of 5 risk areas.

Here’s the most likely timing for powerful storms that could spin up dangerous tornadoes and unload damaging hail:

Within Level 5 of 5 risk: 

Within Level 4 of 5 risk:

An aircraft takes off from McConnell Air Force Base in a photo released by the base on Monday.

McConnell Air Force Base, which is just southeast of Wichita, Kansas, is relocating aircraft as severe weather threatens the Plains.

This is the third time in four weeks the base has had to move aircraft because of threatening weather, Public Affairs Officer John Van Winkle told CNN.

“The base’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft are being relocated to other military bases outside the local area to protect the aircraft from potential damage,” the 22nd Air Refueling Wing said in a statement.

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the “core aerial refueling capability” for the US Air Force. This aircraft and the KC-46A Pegasus both support aerial fueling for the some other wings of the armed services, among other services.

“The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars,” the statement said.

Dangerous, intense tornadoes capable of tracking for miles are possible late this afternoon through much of tonight in parts of the Plains. Many of these tornadoes could occur after nightfall, especially in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Nighttime tornadoes are twice as likely to be deadly as those that occur during the day, a 2022 study found.

Researchers found that nighttime tornadoes from 1950 to 2019 made up less than a third of tornadoes, but were responsible for a staggering 42% of tornado deaths.

Tornado fatalities during the daytime hours have decreased by 20% since the late 1800s because of advances in science and communication, the study found. But the amount of nighttime tornado fatalities actually increased by 20% during the same period.

The increase could be due to factors like location and home construction, but the researchers said the most obvious issue is a large portion of the population is asleep at night and may miss life-saving warnings.

The best way to stay safe during a nocturnal tornado threat is to have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings. At the very least, make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your smartphone. Charge devices ahead of time and set phones or alarms on a loud volume so you’re not caught unaware.

Severe thunderstorms are likely beyond Monday as the peak of severe weather season shifts into gear. Additional damaging storms are likely through at least Thursday across the central and eastern US. 

Some severe thunderstorms from Monday night will likely persist into Tuesday morning and could impact parts of the Midwest. Damaging wind gusts are the main threat with lingering storms Tuesday morning, but hail and an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out. 

The storms are expected to dissipate by the afternoon, but additional severe thunderstorms are likely to bubble up in their wake. 

Parts of the Midwest and Tennessee Valley are under a Level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, including Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Nashville. 

Afternoon and evening storms could unload damaging wind gusts, hail the size of baseballs and tornadoes. 

A much more expansive threat is shaping up for Wednesday. Over 48 million people are in a Level 2 of 5 or higher risk for severe thunderstorms Wednesday. 

Severe thunderstorms could rumble to life by late Wednesday morning in the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley. The storms will grow in scope and strength as they track east throughout the afternoon and evening, eventually reaching the Appalachians late Wednesday night. 

Hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are the main threats with any storm. Some tornadoes could become strong — at least EF2 strength — especially from far northeastern Texas to far southwestern Ohio. 

An additional round of severe thunderstorms could develop in the East from Georgia to New Jersey on Thursday afternoon. A separate area of fierce storms is possible in Texas. Any storms Thursday could produce damaging wind gusts and hail. 

Forecasters have higher than normal confidence today will be extremely active, explicitly calling out the likelihood of “multiple, strong” tornadoes.

The idea of a strong tornado may sound strange (aren’t all tornadoes strong?), but this wording is a signal they could be even more destructive and dangerous than usual.

Unlike hurricane winds, which meteorologists measure in realtime, tornadoes are categorized based on the severity of the damage they inflict. This tornado damage scale is called the Enhanced Fujita scale, or EF-scale.

Most tornadoes are relatively weak and fall within the EF0 to EF1 range. Strong tornadoes are ones with the potential to cause EF2 or stronger damage. This includes the chance for “violent” tornadoes, a term reserved for extremely rare EF4 or stronger tornadoes, like the deadly one that hit Marietta, Oklahoma, just last week.

Despite their rarity, these stronger tornadoes are those responsible for the majority of deaths and significant damage, even to well-constructed buildings.

Around 85% of all tornado deaths happen in EF3 or stronger tornadoes, according to NOAA, a grim fact holding true this year.

Of the 12 people who have died in tornadoes so far this year, 11 have died in strong or violent tornadoes, according to preliminary statistics from the Storm Prediction Center.

Today’s severe weather outbreak will keep the nearly two-week-long streak of damaging weather going in the central US.

At least one tornado has occurred in the US every day 10 consecutive days, some of which were destructive and turned deadly, while others exhibited truly odd behavior. 

Among the recent tornadoes was the first EF4 tornado in over a year, which hit Marietta, Oklahoma, on April 27.

An incredibly active severe weather stretch at the end of April brought the month’s tornado tally to at least 300 and made it the second-most active April for tornadoes on record.

More than 550 tornadoes reports have been logged so far this year.

April and May are typically the most active months for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, especially in the central US. This is because moist air flows north from the Gulf of Mexico and clashes frequently with cold fronts sweeping across the region in the spring to create explosive storms. 

Additional severe thunderstorms are likely in the coming days and could potentially expand the streak even further.

The threat of severe storms has increased to the highest level, 5 out of 5, for portions of central Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City, into southern Kansas, for the threat of multiple intense, long-track tornadoes, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

High risk days are rare and reserved for when there is higher than normal confidence an outbreak of storms will contain tornadoes, damaging winds and/or severe hail. High risks only happen a couple of times each year on average.

The last Level 5 risk was issued on March 31, 2023. There were more than 150 reports of tornadoes that day. It has been nearly five years since Oklahoma has been under a high risk and almost seven years for Kansas.

Intense storms are expected across Oklahoma and southern Kansas by late afternoon and will continue after dark.

The most significant threat of the severe weather in over a year is poised to deliver intense, long-lasting tornadoes, hail larger than softballs and damaging wind gusts Monday.

A tornado and severe weather outbreak will begin in the central US Monday afternoon and last through Monday night, according to the Storm Prediction Center. 

Storms will fire up Monday afternoon from southwestern Nebraska through western Kansas. The storms will likely grow in both strength and scope as they track east throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Tornadoes, hail bigger than baseballs and damaging wind gusts are possible.

The storms with the greatest tornado threat of the day are likely to roar to life later Monday afternoon in western Oklahoma and slowly track east through the evening. Monday evening into early Monday night is the timeframe of greatest concern for strong — at least EF2 strength — tornadoes with the potential to stay on the ground for miles.

Storms that produce these dangerous tornadoes could also unload destructive hail bigger than softballs.

Severe thunderstorms will slowly lose some of their strength late Monday night as they push into the Mississippi Valley. A few damaging storms are likely to reach into the Midwest by Tuesday morning.