High Risk of Tornadoes and Storms Forecasted for Oklahoma
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Severe storms with potential tornadoes are expected in Oklahoma, with the National Weather Service emphasizing that every storm is capable of producing dangerous tornadoes and destructive hail. Schools and universities have cancelled activities and certain campuses are closing due to the weather risk. The severe weather risk increased to a level-five high for areas of Oklahoma, indicating a higher probability of severe storms and more numerous tornadoes.
Oklahoma Braces for High Risk of Severe Storms and Tornado Threat
Today, Oklahoma faces an alert day due to a high risk of severe storms accompanied by a tornado threat. Live updates on the radar and the KOCO weather page are available. The KOCO 5 First Alert Chief Meteorologist, Damon Lane, reports a tornado index of 10 in place for central Oklahoma, including the OKC metro. Surrounding areas have a 6-8 index, but not everyone will experience a tornado.
The University of Oklahoma has announced the closure of its Norman campus at 3:30 p.m. due to potential severe weather. Students with exams scheduled after this time will be contacted for rescheduling. Learn more here.
Several Oklahoma City metro school districts have canceled after-school activities due to the predicted severe weather. Further details here. The National Weather Service has briefed nearly 400 emergency management and television partners on today’s severe weather threat, stating that each storm is capable of producing dangerous tornadoes and destructive hail.
Oklahoma City Public Schools have canceled all after-school and evening activities due to the potential severe weather. KOCO 5, in partnership with KGOU, allows individuals to listen to Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane and the First Alert Weather Team on the radio if they are unable to watch live coverage on television or the KOCO 5 app. Find out where to listen here.
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded today’s severe weather threat to a high risk, a rarity according to KOCO 5 First Alert Meteorologist, Damon Lane. The risk of tornadoes increases after sunset. The tornado index for the level-five high risk areas is now a 10 out of 10. Western Oklahoma and the Panhandle could see storms develop before 5 p.m., moving across western Oklahoma from 5-8 p.m. and reaching the OKC metro and central Oklahoma after 8 p.m.
Stay updated with customized weather alerts by downloading the KOCO 5 App. You can also stream KOCO 5 weather updates anytime on the Very Local app.
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