Tornado Warning Issued For Oklahoma City As Severe Storms Approach

Tornado Warning Issued For Oklahoma City As Severe Storms Approach...

A tornado warning was issued for Oklahoma City and surrounding areas on Monday afternoon as severe thunderstorms moved through central Oklahoma. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed rotation in the storm system, urging residents to take immediate shelter.

The warning, active until 4:30 PM CDT, includes Oklahoma County, Cleveland County, and parts of Canadian County. Meteorologists warned of potential baseball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph alongside the tornado threat.

Local emergency management officials activated sirens across the metro area shortly after 3:45 PM. Oklahoma City Public Schools announced early dismissals, while Will Rogers World Airport temporarily grounded flights. Social media footage showed dark, rotating clouds near Newcastle and Moore.

This storm system follows a weekend of severe weather across the Southern Plains. The NWS Storm Prediction Center had placed central Oklahoma under an enhanced risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe storms earlier Monday. Power outages were reported in Norman and Edmond as the storms moved northeast at 35 mph.

Residents are advised to monitor local weather alerts and shelter in interior rooms on the lowest floor of sturdy buildings. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has staff on standby for potential damage assessments after the storms pass.

The warning comes during peak tornado season for Oklahoma, which typically sees increased activity in April and May. Last year, the state recorded 57 tornadoes, with three fatalities occurring during a May outbreak near Shawnee.