Alert archive / Oklahoma / Tornado Warnings in 1990

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Norman, OK

March 13, 1990Garvin County, Oklahoma

NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Mar 13, 1990, 8:18 PM CST for Garvin County, Oklahoma. It was in force for 42 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 13, 1990, 8:18 PM CST (02:18 UTC)
Expired
Mar 13, 1990, 9:00 PM CST
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Norman, OK
Area
Whole counties

County Garvin County, OK

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Norman, OK (KOUN), launched 00:00Z, 2.3 hours before the alert went out and 58 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Norman, OK at 00:00Z on 1990-03-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1624 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Norman, OK at 00:00Z on 1990-03-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 115 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1624 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-9 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
695 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
128 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
4.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KOKC 140219
TOROKC
OKC049-140300-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OKLAHOMA CITY OK
818 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  900 PM CST
FOR THE FOLLOWING OKLAHOMA LOCATIONS...
 
IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA
 
   ...EASTERN GARVIN COUNTY
 
AT 817 PM RADAR INDICATED A TORNADO 3 MILES NORTHEAST OF ELMORE CITY
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. DAMAGE HAS OCCURED WITH THIS STORM.
PERSONS NEAR PAULS VALLEY ARE IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO AND SHOULD
MOVE TO SHELTER IMMEDIATEY.
 
THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM SITUATION.  ACT QUICKLY.  IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO MOVE TO A SHELTER BELOW GR`OUND IF
AVAILABLE.  OTHERWISE...GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR POSSIBLE.  AVOID WINDOWS.  ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A REINFORCED BUILDING OR GET INTO A DITCH OR CULVERT.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 13, 6:39 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes before
STORM REPORT...CORRECT ISSUE TIME
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OKLAHOMA CITY OK
639 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990

...STORM REPORTS FOR THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 13TH...

TIME(CST)  COUNTY         EVENT

238 PM     TILLMAN        NICKEL SIZE HAIL IN GRANDFIELD
240 PM     TILLMAN        3/4 INCH HAIL 5 WEST OF FREDERICK
312 PM     COMANCHE       1 1/2 INCH HAIL NEAR GERONIMO
322 PM     COMANCHE       NICKEL SIZE HAIL 2 NORTH OF LAWTON
347 PM     CANADIAN       QUARTER SIZE HAIL 8 SOUTHWEST OF YUKON
351 PM     COMANCHE       QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT FLETCHER
358 PM     GRADY          QUARTER SIZE HAIL 5 WEST OF RUSH SPRINGS
404 PM     GRADY          DIME SIZE HAIL 3 SOUTHWEST OF RUSH SPRINGS
408 PM     G7RADY          QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN RUSH SPRINGS
410 PM     GRADY          60 MPH WINDS 2 SOUTH OF RUSH SPRINGS
416 PM     GRADY          GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL 4 NORTH OF RUSH SPRINGS
Local storm report, Mar 13, 6:53 PM CST, 1 hour 25 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OKLAHOMA CITY OK
653 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990

...STORM REPORTS FOR THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 13TH...

TIME(CST)  COUNTY         EVENT

436 PM     MCCLAIN        DIME SIZE HAIL IN CRINER
443 PM     MCCLAIN        FUNNEL CLOUD 8 NORTH OF LINDSAY
447 PM     GARVIN         TREES UPROOTED NEAR LINDSAY
457 PM     MCCLAIN        TORNADO NEAR DIBBLE AT HWYS 39 AND 76
456 PM     MCCLAIN        TORNADO TOUCHDOWN IN CRINER
504 PM     MCCLAIN        TORNADO 3 SOUTH OF DIBBLE
507 PM     GRADY          QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT CHICKASHA
513 PM     GRADY          DIME SIZE HAIL 2 SOUTHWEST OF ALEX
516 PM     CLEVELAND      NICKEL SIZE HAIL IN NORMAN
518 PM     GRADY       R   NICKEL SIZE HAIL 8 NORTH OF ALEX
520 PM     MCCLAIN        QUARTER SIZE HAIL 3 SOUT OF GOLDSBY
Local storm report, Mar 13, 7:08 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OKLAHOMA CITY OK
708 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990

...STORM REPORTS FOR THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 13TH...

TIME(CST)  COUNTY         EVENT

520 PM     CLEVELAND      NICKEL SIZE HAIL IN NORMAN
527 PM     MCCLAIN        FUNNEL CLOUD NORTHEAST GOLDSBY EXIT ON I-35
529 PM     MCCLAIN        FUNNEL CLOUD 3 SOUTHSOUTHEAST DIBBLE
530 PM     MCCLAIN        TORNADO 5 SOUTH OF DIBBLE
532 PM     MCCLAIN        DIME SIZE HAIL IN BLANCHARD
535 PM     CLEVELAND      NICKEL SIZE HAIL IN NORMAN
539 PM     MCCLAIN        DIME SIZE HAIL IN BLANCHARD
546 PM     MCCLAIN        FUNNEL CLOUD EASTSOUTHEAST OF GOLDSBY
548 PM     GRANT          BUILDING DESTROYED WEST OF MEDFORD
549m PM     CLEVELAND      QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN NORMAN HWY 9 AND I-35
550 PM     CLEVELAND      MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED IN NOBLE
Local storm report, Mar 13, 7:23 PM CST, 55 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OKLAHOMA CITY OK
708 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990

...STORM REPORTS FOR THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 13TH...

TIME(CST)  COUNTY         EVENT

510 PM     GRADY          GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL 2 SOUTHWEST OF BLANCHARD
556 PM     OKLAHOMA       QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA CO.
600 PM     JEFFERSON      TORNADO 5 WEST OF WAURIKA
603 PM     JEFFERSON      GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL IN WAURIKA
605 PM     GRANT          HOME DESTROYED IN NORTHERN GRANT COUNTY
610 PM     CLEVELAND      POWER LINES DOWN IN NORTHEASTERN CLEVELAND CO.
637 PM     POTTAWATOMIE   FUNNEL CLOUD 2 SOUTHWEST OF MEEKER
630 PM     JEFFERSON      TORNADO 5 NORTHEAST OF WAURIKA
640 PM     LINCOLN        FUNNEL CLOUD 1 SOUTHEST OF FOWLER
643 PM     LINCOLN        FALLING DEBRIS AND FUNNEL CLOUD AT JACKTOWN
647 PM     LINCOLN        QUARTER SIZE HAIL 3 SOUTH OF MEEKER
649 PM     OKLAHOMA       DIME SIZE HAIL 2 SOUTH OF TINKER AFB
Local storm report, Mar 13, 7:24 PM CST, 54 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OKLAHOMA CITY OK
724 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990

...STORM REPORTS FOR THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 13TH...

TIME(CST)  COUNTY         EVENT

510 PM     GRADY          GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL 2 SOUTHWEST OF BLANCHARD
556 PM     OKLAHOMA       QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA CO.
600 PM     JEFFERSON      TORNADO 5 WEST OF WAURIKA
603 PM     JEFFERSON      GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL IN WAURIKA
605 PM     GRANT          HOME DESTROYED IN NORTHERN GRANT COUNTY
610 PM     CLEVELAND      POWER LINES DOWN IN NORTHEASTERN CLEVELAND CO.
637 PM     POTTAWATOMIE   FUNNEL CLOUD 2 SOUTHWEST OF MEEKER
630 PM     JEFFERSON      TORNADO 5 NORTHEAST OF WAURIKA
640 PM     LINCOLN        FUNNEL CLOUD 1 SOUTHEST OF FOWLER
643 PM     LINCOLN        FALLING DEBRIS AND FUNNEL CLOUD AT JACKTOWN
647 PM     LINCOLN        QUARTER SIZE HAIL 3 SOUTH OF MEEKER
649 PM     OKLAHOMA       DIME SIZE HAIL 2 SOUTH OF TINKER AFB
Special weather statement, Mar 13, 8:04 PM CST, 14 minutes before
TXZ019-20-140300-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA FALLS TX
805 PM CST TUE MAR 13 1990

THE TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN REDEFINED AND NOW INCLUDES WICHITA AND THE
SURROUNDING COUNTIES UNTIL 3 AM...YOUNG COUNTY UNTIL 2 AM.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WICHITA COUNTY EXPIRED AT 8 PM.
QUARTER SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED IN IOWA PARK AT 715 PM. PEA SIZE HAIL FELL
AT THE WEATHER SERVICE JUST BEFORE 8 PM . WE HAVE RECEIVED ALMOST AN
INCH OF RAIN SINCE THIS AFTERNOON.

AT 8 PM A THUNDERSTORM WITH VERY HEAVY RAIN AND POSSIBLE HAIL WAS JUST
WEST OF TRUSCOTT. OTHER STORMS WERE NEAR BURKBURNETT AND EAST OF LAWTON.
MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

A TORNADO WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES TO
DEVELOP IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. DAMAGING WIND..LARGE HAIL..VERY
HEAVY RAIN AND DEADLY LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE HEAVIER THUNDER-
STORMS.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Norman, OK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 13, 6:01 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNJefferson, Stephens29 min
Mar 13, 6:23 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNLincoln, Pottawatomie37 min
Mar 13, 6:26 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNJefferson, Stephens34 min
Mar 13, 6:45 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCotton, Stephens60 min
Mar 13, 6:57 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNJefferson, Stephens33 min
Mar 13, 7:04 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNPottawatomie, Seminole41 min
Mar 13, 7:04 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNLincoln41 min
Mar 13, 7:10 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCarter, Garvin, Murray65 min
Mar 13, 7:18 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNLincoln, Oklahoma57 min
Mar 13, 7:31 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNCarter29 min
Mar 13, 7:34 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNComanche, Cotton, Stephens56 min
Mar 13, 7:52 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNGarvin38 min
Mar 13, 8:42 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNGarvin, McClain48 min
Mar 13, 8:42 PM CSTTornado WarningOUNPottawatomie48 min
Mar 13, 8:53 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNJackson, Kiowa, Tillman67 min
Mar 13, 9:20 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNPontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole55 min
Mar 13, 9:36 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCaddo, Kiowa, Washita69 min
Mar 13, 9:48 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNHughes57 min
Mar 13, 10:26 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNBlaine, Garfield, Kingfisher, Major64 min
Mar 13, 10:26 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCuster64 min
Mar 13, 10:26 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGrant64 min
Mar 13, 11:43 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNGarfield, Noble47 min
Mar 14, 12:52 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNJackson53 min
Mar 14, 1:38 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNLogan37 min
Mar 14, 2:00 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNPayne30 min
Mar 14, 2:34 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCanadian, Grady26 min
Mar 14, 4:50 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCoal, Pontotoc35 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Oklahoma, 1990Every tornado warning in 1990Tornadoes in 1990

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.