Central Plains Braces for Strong Tornadoes & Extreme Hail Saturday

Photo byISC News & Media

Norman, OK. - Attention residents of Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts of western Missouri: Brace yourselves for a round of severe weather slated for this Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a moderate risk alert for what could be a nasty mix of strong tornadoes, huge hail, and damaging winds sweeping across the central and southern Plains from late afternoon deep into the night.
This weather system is packing a punch, with the potential for several intense tornadoes and extreme hail events that could leave a mark on our communities. Cities on high alert include Oklahoma City and Tulsa in Oklahoma, Wichita in Kansas, and several others like Norman and Lawton, Oklahoma.

Weather Breakdown:
Here’s the scoop—by Saturday, a fast-moving shortwave trough will swing from the Four Corners region right into the central Plains, pulling a surface low into western Kansas around the same time. A warm front will lift from northwest Texas through Arkansas and surge north across Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and into southwest Missouri.

MODERATE: Oklahoma City, OK...Tulsa, OK...Wichita, KS...Norman, OK...Lawton, OK...Photo byNWS Storm Prediction Center

This setup will trigger a seriously unstable air mass to our south, with dew points soaring into the mid-70s Fahrenheit, making it ripe for storm development. As the day progresses, a strong southerly flow will kick up, driving this unstable air right into the heart of the central Plains. Meanwhile, a stubborn dryline will stake out from southwest Kansas down into western Oklahoma and northwest Texas.

What This Means for You:
We’re looking at a rare mix of atmospheric instability and wind shear that could spawn some particularly ferocious tornadoes, along with the threat of significant hail and wind damage. This is not your average storm forecast—these conditions are primed to create severe weather phenomena.

Stay Safe:
Now’s the time to double-check your severe weather plans. Make sure loose items around your property are secured, go over your emergency kit, and keep a close watch on weather updates. Most importantly, know where to take cover if a warning is issued—these storms are fast and fierce.

Stay safe, stay alert, and let’s look out for each other as this system rolls through.