Tornado Outbreak Likely Across Central & Southern Plains

It’s not something that we see very often, but the Storm Prediction Center has issued a “High” Risk of severe weather on Saturday for our friends in the center of the country. They’ve also issued a “Moderate” Risk in surrounding areas.

The “High” Risk area extends from just north of I-70 in central Kansas south into Oklahoma. This does include the cities of Oklahoma City, OK and Wichita, KS.

If you have friends or family in these areas, let them know them know that a TORNADO OUTBREAK is likely across the southern and central Plains northward into the Mid-Missouri Valley from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

A large upper level low will make its way across the four corners on Saturday and with a strong mid-level jet stream running into the southern and central plains, severe weather is LIKELY.

Ahead of the storm system, there’s abundant instability and strong low-level wind shear. This makes the environment VERY favorable for strong storms, with life-threatening tornadoes possible.

As I said before, if you do have friends or family in these yellow, and especially red and purple shaded areas (Graphic below), NOAA Weather Radios will be a MUST.

Here’s the latest image from the SPC, depicting where the greatest severe weather threat is: