Alert archive / Oklahoma / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 248, NWS Tulsa, OK

May 21, 20246 counties in Oklahoma

NWS Tulsa, OK issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 21, 2024, 4:48 PM CDT for 6 counties in Oklahoma. It was in force for 42 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
May 21, 2024, 4:48 PM CDT (21:48 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2024, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Tulsa, OK
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Creek County, OK, Mayes County, OK, Osage County, OK, Rogers County, OK, Tulsa County, OK, Washington County, OK

The radar

The Tulsa radar (KINX), 36 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:51 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
May 21, 2:40 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 198 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, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2024-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 594 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, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2024-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 27 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
594 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-286 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
999 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
27 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
82 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 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 21, 1:24 PM CDT, 3 hours 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 21, 1:24 PM CDT, 3 hours 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
124 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

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

.SHORT TERM...
(Through Tonight)
Issued at 119 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Warm, humid, and breezy conditions will continue through this
afternoon and evening. Storm chances will ramp up later this
afternoon and into the evening, continuing into the overnight hours
as a cold front moves into the area from the northwest. Model
guidance continues to show a deeply unstable atmosphere with
MLCAPE in excess of 3000 J/Kg through the afternoon and evening
south of the front. Surface-850 hPa specific humidity will be near
the 99th percentile for this time of year with IVT also near the
99th percentile as a consequence of an usually strong low pressure
to the northwest enhancing the southerly flow.

Initial convective initiation has already begun in south-central OK.
These elevated storms will move into southeast OK the next 2 hours.
The main severe hazard will be hail. Convective initiation along the
front is expected around 3-6 PM with a line of storms forming along
it. There will also be the potential for additional isolated
cells anywhere east or south of the front. These storms will be
capable of all severe hazards, including large hail, damaging
winds, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.
CAMs remain a bit uncertain with respect to how far south along
the boundary storms will form. They also remain uncertain with the
coverage and intensity of storms ahead of the front. With this in
mind, the best coverage and intensity of storms will likely be
across far northeast OK and northwest AR during the early evening.

By late in the evening more widespread storm activity will develop
across southeast OK. Further north, storms will continue to develop
along the front, which will slowly sag south in the vicinity of I-
40. Some areas with repeated rounds of storms will see localized
flash flood potential. Due to recent rains, as well as the
expectation of continued heavy rain Wednesday, and low level
moisture remaining near the climatological max for this time of
year, a Flood Watch was issued through Friday morning to account
for this threat. CAM guidance shows a resurgence of elevated
storms along and behind the front in the 9-12Z period across the
area, but southeast OK in particular. These storms will once again
have the potential to become severe. Discrete cells and cells
north of the front would be hail dominant, but any storms near the
boundary would be capable of all severe hazards.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through Tuesday)
Issued at 119 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

The cluster of storms mentioned at the end of the short term period
will progress east to northeast into northwest AR bringing
widespread heavy rainfall with some severe potential continuing. As
storms (presumably) grow upscale into a line, the threat of strong
winds would become dominant, but other severe hazards would remain
possible. CAM guidance is all over the place for later in the day
Wednesday, but the general theme is that multiple rounds of
additional showers and thunderstorms are likely, but will continue
to focus in southeast OK and northwest AR. As the cold front will be
near or south of the Red River by Wednesday, high temperatures will
be much lower. Highs in the mid 70s will be common north of the
boundary, except perhaps low 80s near the Red River. Low
temperatures north of the boundary will be in the low to mid 60s
and low 70s near and south of it.

For Thursday the remnant cold front will lift north, but it will
become diffuse and wash out. With warm and humid air streaming back
through the area and yet another shortwave trough moving through,
widespread storms are expected to develop again. Similar to the
preceding days, anomalous instability, moisture, and wind shear will
be present so severe weather is expected. Areas of heavy rainfall
will also occur.

Ensemble guidance is in decent agreement that we will get a break
from the storms Friday, with just some lower potential across the
terrain in Arkansas. Saturday will see storm chances resume, with
some lingering probabilities into Sunday. By early next week
ensemble guidance is in excellent agreement that a large ridge will
build across the Great Basin, bringing much warmer air back into the
area under northwest flow. However, smaller scale details such as
how strong the ridge will be or where it will center are still
unknown. About 40% of guidance position the ridge in a way that
would be favorable for nocturnal MCS activity, but given the lead
time will just go with NBM PoPs for now.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1227 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Corridor of low VFR to periodic MVFR ceilings will remain across E
OK / NW AR terminals this afternoon with isolated to scattered
showers and storms. Thunderstorm chances increase from late
afternoon through the evening as a cold front moves slowly
southward into the region. Periodic flight impacts are likely for
NW AR terminals with slightly lesser chances further west.
Lower ceilings develop again overnight along with a chance for
thunderstorm redevelop in vicinity of the slow moving cold front.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TUL   62  76  63  82 /  30  40  40  50
FSM   69  80  66  84 /  60  70  70  60
MLC   67  77  65  82 /  30  80  70  60
BVO   59  76  58  81 /  20  40  30  50
FYV   65  77  61  80 /  60  80  70  60
BYV   63  74  61  80 /  60  70  60  50
MKO   65  75  64  80 /  50  70  60  60
MIO   57  74  61  80 /  40  50  40  50
F10   63  75  63  80 /  50  70  60  60
HHW   70  80  66  82 /  30  80  70  60

&&

.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Flood Watch from 7 PM CDT this evening through Thursday evening
     for OKZ049-053-072>076.

AR...Flood Watch from 7 PM CDT this evening through Thursday evening
     for ARZ019-020-029.

&&

SHORT TERM...06
LONG TERM....06
AVIATION...07
Hazardous weather outlook, May 21, 1:09 PM CDT, 3 hours 39 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 21, 4:16 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 4:19 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 4:30 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 4:37 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
437 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

OKZ054-059-060-064-212200-
Tulsa OK-Osage OK-Pawnee OK-Creek OK-
437 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OSAGE...NORTHERN
CREEK...SOUTHEASTERN PAWNEE AND CENTRAL TULSA COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM
CDT...

At 437 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 2 miles northwest of Shamrock to 7 miles east of
Walnut Creek State Park. Movement was northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations in or near the path include...
Tulsa...                          Sand Springs...
Owasso...                         Mannford...
Drumright...                      Sperry...
Westport...                       Shamrock...
Keystone State Park...            Walnut Creek State Park...
Turley...                         Gray...
Silver City...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3626 9632 3634 9581 3631 9581 3591 9630
      3586 9662 3601 9662
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 236DEG 54KT 3593 9660 3624 9615

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, May 21, 4:39 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
439 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

ARZ010-011-212215-
Madison AR-Washington AR-
439 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN MADISON AND
SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM CDT...

At 439 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 7 miles
west of Saint Paul, moving east at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations in or near the path include...
St. Paul...                       Saint Paul...
Pettigrew...                      Japton...
Kingston...                       Witter...
Aurora...                         Boston...
Dutton...                         Red Star...
Weathers...                       Delaney...
Brashears...                      Crosses...
Patrick...                        Combs...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Arkansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3595 9349 3593 9349 3592 9351 3588 9351
      3588 9352 3579 9352 3577 9391 3577 9395
      3576 9400 3589 9404 3610 9350 3597 9346
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 252DEG 53KT 3584 9390

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Mejia
Special weather statement, May 21, 4:45 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
445 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

ARZ002-212200-
Carroll AR-
445 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN CARROLL COUNTY
THROUGH 500 PM CDT...

At 445 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Urbanette, moving east at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations in or near the path include...
Berryville...                     Grandview...
Urbanette...                      Blue Eye...
Pleasant Ridge...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Arkansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3636 9362 3650 9367 3650 9330 3641 9330
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 252DEG 53KT 3644 9355

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Mejia

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 21, 1:15 PM CDTFlood WatchTSAChoctaw, Haskell, Latimer, Pittsburg, Pushmataha43 hr
May 21, 2:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAMuskogee34 min
May 21, 2:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAPushmataha24 min
May 21, 2:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSASequoyah30 min
May 21, 2:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSALatimer27 min
May 21, 2:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAPushmataha31 min
May 21, 3:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAHaskell29 min
May 21, 3:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSALatimer, Pushmataha23 min
May 21, 3:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSALatimer, LeFlore, Pushmataha36 min
May 21, 3:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAHaskell, Sequoyah34 min
May 21, 3:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSANowata, Washington28 min
May 21, 3:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSALeFlore34 min
May 21, 3:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSAOsage, Rogers, Tulsa, Washington46 min
May 21, 4:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSACraig, Nowata, Washington52 min
May 21, 4:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSANowata17 min
May 21, 4:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSALeFlore15 min
May 21, 4:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACreek23 min
May 21, 5:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACraig29 min
May 21, 5:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACreek26 min
May 21, 5:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSACreek, Tulsa47 min
May 21, 5:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSACraig, Delaware, Mayes, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner39 min
May 21, 5:33 PM CDTTornado WarningTSAMayes, Rogers28 min
May 21, 5:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAOttawa29 min
May 21, 5:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTSAMayes, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner43 min
May 21, 5:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACraig24 min
May 21, 5:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAOkmulgee33 min
May 21, 6:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSADelaware, Mayes, Rogers45 min
May 21, 6:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSACreek, Okfuskee, Okmulgee51 min
May 21, 6:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAOttawa17 min
May 21, 6:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSACherokee, Delaware, Mayes, Wagoner42 min
May 21, 6:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSAMuskogee, Okmulgee26 min
May 21, 6:34 PM CDTTornado WarningTSADelaware, Mayes21 min
May 21, 6:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSAMuskogee, Okmulgee33 min
May 21, 3:10 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACrawford35 min
May 21, 3:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAWashington33 min
May 21, 3:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACrawford, Franklin32 min
May 21, 3:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTSACrawford, Franklin, Madison, Washington29 min
May 21, 4:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAMadison29 min
May 21, 4:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACarroll26 min
May 21, 4:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAMadison36 min
May 21, 4:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSACarroll15 min
May 21, 5:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTSAScott21 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Oklahoma, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.