Storm Warning: Tornadoes Threaten Eastern Oklahoma & the Ozarks

Photo byiSkyCreations - News & Media

By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published March 13th, 2024

Eastern Oklahoma and the Ozarks: Communities in eastern Oklahoma and the Ozarks are advised to stay vigilant as the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning for Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. Scattered severe thunderstorms are forecasted, bringing with them the potential for large to very large hail, damaging gusts, and yes, the threat of tornadoes.

Photo byStorm Prediction Center

Photo byStorm Prediction Center

Meteorologists predict a steady southwestward flow at mid-levels, extending from a low pressure system over the Desert Southwest to the northeast across the mid Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley. As a speed maximum moves from Kansas and Missouri during the morning hours towards the southern Great Lakes throughout the day, a surface low is expected to form over the NE/IA/MO border intersection early Thursday morning.

This system will drive a cold front southwestward through southeast Kansas and central Oklahoma into the Texas Hill Country, while a warm front extends east-northeastward through central Illinois. In the wake of early to midday cloud cover and convective activity, the warm sector ahead of the cold front will see a surge in moisture and moderate to strong buoyancy, setting the stage for thunderstorm development.

Photo byWeather.gov

Areas under risk include Springfield, Missouri; Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers, Arkansas. But larger population centers like Dallas, Fort Worth, and St. Louis are also within the scope of potential impact.

Residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and heed any warnings issued by local authorities. Take necessary precautions to ensure personal safety and protect property. It's a time for vigilance, not panic, as communities come together to weather the storm.

Photo byiSkyCreations - News & Media