Much of Oklahoma could be in for a round of severe storms with large hail and possibly tornados Sunday afternoon.
Norman Forecast Office meteorologists say the greatest threat appears to be tennis ball-sized hail and 60-70 mile-per-hour wind.
Updated 5:57 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for much of central and western Oklahoma, with at least one Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued so far for the far southwest corner of the state.
547pm radar update - strong to severe storms will continue NE and may produce large hail. pic.twitter.com/rroFxVsxBA
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) April 10, 2016
Quarter-sized hail has been reported in the Texas city of Lockett, directly southwest of the Oklahoma towns of Frederick and Lawton. The Wilbarger County Emergency Management department says streets in the Texas city of Vernon are flooded.
Original Post
Check the forecast often this afternoon - it will change. https://t.co/UE1lS8lH1F
— Rick Smith (@ounwcm) April 10, 2016
National Weather Service senior forecaster Ryan Barnes said in a briefing Sunday morning storms will start to develop between 3 and 5 p.m. in southwest Oklahoma, and between 7 and 9 p.m. in northern and central Oklahoma. The storms will likely continue through the overnight hours.
“There will also be a risk of tornados,” Barnes said. “Late [Sunday] afternoon through [Sunday] evening. The low threat ecompasses most of Oklahoma and western North Texas, but specifically we’re looking at anywhere from Clinton to Altus to Lawton to just north of Ardmore into the Oklahoma City metro before sunset.”
In northern Oklahoma, rain chances will increase dramatically along a cold front, and stretch down the dryline into central and southwest Oklahoma Sunday evening.
A slight risk of severe weather continues Monday across southeast Oklahoa, with a marginal risk in the metro. There could be more showers behind the cold front.
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