Alert archive / Oklahoma / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 5, NWS Norman, OK

March 24, 2024Beckham County, Oklahoma

NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Mar 24, 2024, 3:58 PM CDT for Beckham County, Oklahoma. It was in force for 26 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 24, 2024, 3:58 PM CDT (20:58 UTC)
Expired
Mar 24, 2024, 4:24 PM CDT
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Norman, OK
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
1.0 in

County Beckham County, OK

The radar

The Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 120 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:59 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Mar 24, 2:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Amarillo Airport, TX (KAMA), launched 12:00Z, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 183 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, Amarillo Airport, TX at 12:00Z on 2024-03-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Amarillo Airport, TX at 12:00Z on 2024-03-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 55 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1123 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
55 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
167 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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.

NWS Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Mar 24, 1:15 PM CDT, 2 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 24, 1:15 PM CDT, 2 hours 43 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
115 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Monday)
Issued at 115 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

Water vapor imagery indicates a lead shortwave trough and
associated synoptic-scale ascent that is resulting in widespread
rainfall across the Southern Plains early this afternoon. As this
shortwave trough departs to the northeast, a more significant
shortwave trough will lift into the Plains. In response, intense
cyclogenesis will occur across eastern Colorado. The ~980 mb
surface low will advance eastward into southwest Kansas in tandem
with a dryline/Pacific front late this afternoon into the evening.

Note that because of the aforementioned lead wave, today does not
have the appearance of a typical severe weather day with abundant
cloud cover/cool temperatures. However, given the rather dynamic
nature of the system (i.e., strong wind fields) and continued
low-level moisture advection, there is still a reasonable chance
of enough recovery for redevelopment of intense thunderstorms
later this afternoon and evening.

As dryline advances eastward late afternoon into the evening,
critical fire weather conditions are likely west of the dryline
near the 100th meridian. Critical fire weather conditions may
split the first row of counties given the dryline will be very
close to the 100th meridian during the worst fire weather
conditions.

Ahead of the sharpening dryline, low-level theta-E advection atop
steepening lapse rates aloft will result in MLCAPE of ~700 to
1200 J/kg by late afternoon into the evening. Combined with
effective bulk shear of ~50 to 60 knots, this will be an
environment that is more than sufficient for supercells. Isolated
to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of the
dryline as synoptic-scale ascent weakens convective inhibition.

The primary hazard is large hail given significant cloud layer
shear (~100 knots) and low freezing level heights. The limiting
factor for a more robust risk for severe weather is the lack of
low-level moisture (dew points in the low to mid 50s deg F) and
the narrow instability corridor ahead of the dryline (owing to the
cloud cover from the current convection). However, if a robust,
surface-based supercell is able to maintain itself into the
evening hours as the low-level jet strengthens to 55 to 65 knots,
there will be a tornado risk given the large, looping hodographs
in the low-levels (i.e., increasing low-level shear and attendant
storm relative helicity) and continued moisture advection.

Thunderstorms will likely consolidate/develop into a few clusters
or line segments with at some risk of severe weather continuing
into southeast Oklahoma due to the intense low-level jet. Damaging
wind gusts may become the primary hazard at that time.

The Canadian cold front will enter northwest Oklahoma Monday morning
with a much colder air mass behind it. Nearly steady or falling
temperatures are expected in the post-frontal air mass as the front
advances to the southeast on Monday. Temperatures by Monday
afternoon will range from the 30s (northwest Oklahoma) to near 70
deg F (southeast Oklahoma).

With the colder air mass in the place, as the mid/upper-level low
moves across Kansas, wrap-around snow may into northwest Oklahoma
Monday afternoon. Surface temperatures will likely be above
freezing, so no impacts from the snowfall are expected.

Mahale

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday night through next Saturday)
Issued at 115 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

A widespread freeze is likely both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings
across at least the northern two-thirds of the area as the
relatively cool and dry air mass remains in place.

The cool air mass will persist through the middle part of the
week with a broad-scale trough across the Plains. There will also
be a low chance of rain (perhaps a rain/snow mix in some
locations) by midweek as an embedded shortwave trough approaches
from the west. At this time, precipitation amounts look quite
light (if we see precipitation).

Rising mid-level heights will result in much warmer weather by the
latter half of the week into the following weekend.

Mahale

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1218 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

Fairly poor flight conditions are expected through most of the
forecast. MVFR cigs will be intermittent for most terminals. Wind
gusts from the south will continue to increase through 21Z, and
LLWS is still expected after 03Z. Strong to severe thunderstorms
will develop across western OK near WWR and CSM after 21Z, and
then move toward the I-35 corridor tonight. Another area of
showers and thunderstorms will then be possible after 04Z near
DUA.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  50  63  31  52 /  50  10   0   0
Hobart OK         44  56  30  54 /  20  10   0   0
Wichita Falls TX  50  66  35  57 /  40   0   0   0
Gage OK           35  40  24  51 /  10  30   0   0
Ponca City OK     50  65  29  49 /  70  10  10   0
Durant OK         54  70  36  58 /  90  30   0   0

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...High Wind Warning until 4 PM CDT this afternoon for OKZ004>007-
     009>012-014>018.

     Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for OKZ004-009-014-
     021-033-034.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Monday for OKZ004>007-009>012-
     014>018.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Monday for OKZ008-013-019>042-
     044>046-050.

TX...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Monday for TXZ083>090.

&&

SHORT TERM...10
LONG TERM....10
AVIATION...03
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 24, 2:18 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Norman OK
218 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-251930-
Harper-Woods-Alfalfa-Grant-Kay-Ellis-Woodward-Major-Garfield-
Noble-Roger Mills-Dewey-Custer-Blaine-Kingfisher-Logan-Payne-
Beckham-Washita-Caddo-Canadian-Oklahoma-Lincoln-Grady-McClain-
Cleveland-Pottawatomie-Seminole-Hughes-Harmon-Greer-Kiowa-Jackson-
Tillman-Comanche-Stephens-Garvin-Murray-Pontotoc-Coal-Cotton-
Jefferson-Carter-Johnston-Atoka-Love-Marshall-Bryan-Hardeman-
Foard-Wilbarger-Wichita-Knox-Baylor-Archer-Clay-
218 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northern...
western...central...and southern Oklahoma...and western north
Texas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...

.Thunderstorms...
Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and
tonight across western, northern, and central Oklahoma, and
western north Texas. The main threats will be hail up to the size
of golf balls and wind gusts near 60 to 80 mph, although a tornado
or two cannot be ruled out mainly across western Oklahoma.

.Fire Weather...
Critical fire weather conditions are expected across far western
Oklahoma late this afternoon and evening.

.Winds...
Strong non-thunderstorm wind gusts near 50 to 5 mph are expected
across western and north central Oklahoma through this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday Through Saturday...

No hazardous weather is expected.

Get graphics and more details at weather.gov/norman...and follow
our weather forecast office on Twitter and Facebook.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 24, 3:38 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Mar 24, 3:49 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
349 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

OKZ021-033-034-242115-
Harmon OK-Beckham OK-Greer OK-
349 PM CDT Sun Mar 24 2024

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Harmon,
northwestern Greer and southwestern Beckham Counties through 415 PM
CDT
...

At 349 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Texola, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Erick and Texola.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor NOAA Weather
Radio, local radio stations or available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3527 10000 3536 9984 3506 9966 3499 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 244DEG 36KT 3510 10005

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

03

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 24, 3:02 AM CDTHigh Wind WarningOUNAlfalfa, Blaine, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield and 7 more13 hr
Mar 24, 3:38 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNRoger Mills37 min
Mar 24, 3:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNBeckham, Roger Mills18 min
Mar 24, 3:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNHarmon27 min
Mar 24, 3:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNBeckham26 min
Mar 24, 3:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNBeckham, Greer, Harmon52 min
Mar 24, 4:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNGreer37 min
Mar 24, 4:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNBeckham, Roger Mills39 min
Mar 24, 4:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWashita35 min
Mar 24, 5:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCuster21 min
Mar 24, 5:11 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNCuster9 min
Mar 24, 5:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNCuster, Dewey, Roger Mills23 min
Mar 24, 5:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNMajor38 min
Mar 24, 5:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWashita37 min
Mar 24, 6:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNBlaine27 min
Mar 24, 6:10 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNAlfalfa35 min
Mar 24, 6:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNAlfalfa, Major47 min
Mar 24, 6:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNBlaine, Canadian, Kingfisher45 min
Mar 24, 6:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNCotton54 min
Mar 24, 6:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNKingfisher21 min
Mar 24, 3:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNFoard31 min
Mar 24, 4:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNFoard28 min
Mar 24, 4:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNFoard, Knox39 min
Mar 24, 4:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNBaylor, Foard, Knox, Wilbarger51 min
Mar 24, 4:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWilbarger31 min
Mar 24, 5:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUNBaylor, Wilbarger46 min
Mar 24, 5:25 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWilbarger35 min
Mar 24, 5:40 PM CDTTornado WarningOUNArcher, Baylor, Wichita, Wilbarger36 min
Mar 24, 6:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOUNWichita42 min
Mar 24, 6:44 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOUNWilbarger31 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Oklahoma, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.