Alert archive / Oklahoma / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2002

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 157, NWS Tulsa, OK

May 12, 2002Ottawa County, Oklahoma

NWS Tulsa, OK issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 12, 2002, 8:53 PM CDT for Ottawa County, Oklahoma. It was in force for 37 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 12, 2002, 8:53 PM CDT (01:53 UTC)
Expired
May 12, 2002, 9:30 PM CDT
In force
37 min
Issued by
NWS Tulsa, OK
Area
Counties, with a storm outline in the text

County Ottawa County, OK

The radar

The Tulsa radar (KINX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:56 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 12, 8:58 PM CDTHail 0.75Fairland, OK

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Lamont, OK (KLMN), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 239 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, Lamont, OK at 00:00Z on 2002-05-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lamont, OK at 00:00Z on 2002-05-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -61 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
504 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
72 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-61 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
86 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WUUS54 KTSA 130153
SVRTUL
OKC115-130230-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
853 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TULSA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN OTTAWA COUNTY IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA

* UNTIL 930 PM CDT

* AT 853 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 4
  MILES SOUTHEAST OF AFTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...AFTON...
  FAIRLAND AND WYANDOTTE.

HAIL TO THE SIZE OF DIMES CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE WARNED AREA. STAY 
INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.

LAT...LON 3668 9502 3667 9474 3677 9462 3700 9462

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 12, 6:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 12, 6:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
EASTERN OKLAHOMA/NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
642 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

MOST CONVECTION OVER CWA IS ELEVATED...WITH AN EXCEPTION BEING
SEVERE CELL IN WASHINGTON COUNTY ARKANSAS.  USING MODIFIED RUC
SOUNDING...GETTING A LITTLE OVER 3000 J/KG FOR THIS CELL...VERSUS
ABOUT 1200 J/KG WITH ELEVATED STORMS AROUND OKFUSKEE COUNTY.

MANY OF THE ELEVATED STORMS LOOK TO BE INDUCING INFLOW ON ON THEIR
NORTHERN FLANKS.  BOTH SURFACE-BASED STORMS AND ELEVATED STORMS ONLY
GETTING 10-15 KT OF RELATIVE INFLOW.

PER VWP...COLD AIR ABOUT 3700 FEET DEEP OVER TULSA AREA.  ELEVATED
STORMS MOSTLY DEPENDENT ON UPPER LIFT THAT SHOULD SLIDE EAST OF CWA
BY AROUND MIDNIGHT.  THINK THAT STRONG ELEVATED STORMS WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH THE EVENING.

.TSA...

AR...NONE.
OK...NONE.

MATHEWS

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 12, 3:43 PM CDT, 5 hours 10 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
343 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0311 PM    2 NORTH PETTIT            OK   .88 INCH HAIL 05/12/02
           CHEROKEE                       DIME TO NICKEL HAIL
Local storm report, May 12, 3:50 PM CDT, 5 hours 3 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
350 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

...CORRECTION FOR DATE GROUP...

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0311 PM    2 NORTH PETTIT            OK   .88 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   CHEROKEE                       DIME TO NICKEL HAIL
Local storm report, May 12, 4:07 PM CDT, 4 hours 46 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
407 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0400 PM    5 N CHOUTEAU              OK   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   MAYES                          REPORTED BY EMA

0404 PM    PRYOR                     OK   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   MAYES                          REPORTED BY EMA
Local storm report, May 12, 6:18 PM CDT, 2 hours 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
618 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0417 PM    KETCHUM                   OK   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   CRAIG                          REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT

0509 PM    1 E GROVE                 OK   1.00 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   DELAWARE                       REPORTED BY EMA

0530 PM    9 NNW TAHLEQUAH           OK   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   CHEROKEE                       POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN.
                                          REPORTED BY SPOTTERS

0511 PM    3 NE GROVE                OK   1.00 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   DELAWARE                       REPORTED BY SPOTTERS

0528 PM    1 W WESTVILLE             OK   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   ADAIR                          LARGE TREE BLOWN DOWN.
                                          REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

0539 PM    STILWELL                  OK   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   ADAIR                          REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT

0540 PM    5 WNW WESTVILLE           OK   59 MPH TSTM WIND GUST
05/12/02   ADAIR                          REPORTED BY OKLAHOMA
                                          MESONET
Local storm report, May 12, 8:43 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
843 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0556 PM    LINCOLN                   AR   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   WASHINGTON                     REPORTED BY
PUBLIC

0625 PM    BOLEY                     OK   1.00 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   OKFUSKEE                       REPORTED BY
EMA

0644 PM    BIXBY                     OK   .88 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   TULSA                          REPORTED BY
SPOTTERS

0720 PM    EUREKA SPRINGS            AR   .88 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   CARROLL                        REPORTED BY
PUBLIC

0720 PM    EUREKA SPRINGS            AR   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   CARROLL                        SCATTERED TREES DOWNED.
                                          REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

0742 PM    2 W BERRYVILLE            AR   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   CARROLL                        REPORTED BY
PUBLIC

0738 PM    4 E WILBURTON             OK   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   LATIMER                        TREES AND POWER POLES
                                          BLOWN DOWN. REPORTED BY EOC

0830 PM    SUMMERFIELD               OK   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   LEFLORE                        REPORTED BY
SPOTTERS

0825 PM    POTEAU                    OK   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   LEFLORE                        NUMEROUS 4 TO 5 INCH
                                          DIAMETER LIMBS BLOWN DOWN.
                                          REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
Local storm report, May 12, 8:45 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
845 PM CDT SUN MAY 12 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0556 PM    LINCOLN                   AR   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   WASHINGTON                     REPORTED BY PUBLIC

0625 PM    BOLEY                     OK   1.00 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   OKFUSKEE                       REPORTED BY EMA

0644 PM    BIXBY                     OK   .88 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   TULSA                          REPORTED BY SPOTTERS

0720 PM    EUREKA SPRINGS            AR   .88 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   CARROLL                        REPORTED BY PUBLIC

0720 PM    EUREKA SPRINGS            AR   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   CARROLL                        SCATTERED TREES DOWNED.
                                          REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

0742 PM    2 W BERRYVILLE            AR   .75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   CARROLL                        REPORTED BY PUBLIC

0738 PM    4 E WILBURTON             OK   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   LATIMER                        TREES AND POWER POLES
                                          BLOWN DOWN. REPORTED BY EOC

0830 PM    SUMMERFIELD               OK   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/12/02   LEFLORE                        REPORTED BY SPOTTERS

0825 PM    POTEAU                    OK   WIND DAMAGE
05/12/02   LEFLORE                        NUMEROUS 4 TO 5 INCH
                                          DIAMETER LIMBS BLOWN DOWN.
                                          REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 12, 7:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSAOkmulgee45 min
May 12, 7:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSAPittsburg39 min
May 12, 7:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSATulsa32 min
May 12, 7:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSALatimer54 min
May 12, 8:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSALeFlore60 min
May 12, 8:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSAMayes, Rogers44 min
May 12, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSASequoyah64 min
May 12, 9:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSALeFlore21 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Oklahoma, 2002Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2002

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.