Alert archive / Oklahoma / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 32, NWS Norman, OK
NWS Norman, OK issued this tornado warning at Apr 17, 2026, 6:57 PM CDT for Kay County, Oklahoma. It was in force for 27 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 6:57 PM CDT (23:57 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 7:24 PM CDT
- In force
- 27 min
- Issued by
- NWS Norman, OK
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 1.75 in
County Kay County, OK
The radar
The Vance AFB radar (KVNX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:57 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 7:05 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Ponca City, OK | Several trees as well as power lines down and roads blocked. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1:40 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Norman, OK (KOUN), launched 12:00Z, 12.0 hours before the alert went out and 174 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1174 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -90 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 745 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 38 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 310 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 330 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.2
- Supercell composite
- 10.2
The text
As transmitted.
413
WFUS54 KOUN 172357
TOROUN
OKC071-180045-
/O.NEW.KOUN.TO.W.0032.260417T2357Z-260418T0045Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Norman OK
657 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Kay County in northern Oklahoma...
* Until 745 PM CDT.
* At 657 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Ponca City,
moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include...
Ponca City, Kaw City, and Kaw Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
storm shelter, safe room or an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3678 9675 3678 9679 3677 9679 3677 9682
3674 9683 3675 9687 3675 9689 3668 9693
3669 9702 3670 9704 3668 9706 3665 9706
3665 9716 3673 9717 3683 9675
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 261DEG 39KT 3669 9712
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
Ware3 follow-up statements
888
WWUS54 KOUN 180007
SVSOUN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
707 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
OKC071-180045-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-260418T0045Z/
Kay OK-
707 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL KAY COUNTY...
At 707 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles east of Ponca City, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Ponca City, Kaw City, and Kaw Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter, safe room, or an interior
room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you
are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest
substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3678 9675 3678 9679 3677 9679 3677 9682
3674 9683 3675 9687 3675 9689 3668 9693
3669 9702 3670 9704 3676 9705 3683 9675
TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 261DEG 39KT 3671 9699
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
Ware309
WWUS54 KOUN 180014
SVSOUN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
714 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
OKC071-180045-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-260418T0045Z/
Kay OK-
714 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL KAY COUNTY...
At 714 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Kaw City, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Kaw City and southwestern Kaw Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter, safe room, or an interior
room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you
are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest
substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3678 9675 3678 9679 3677 9679 3677 9682
3674 9683 3675 9687 3675 9689 3668 9693
3668 9696 3675 9696 3683 9675
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 260DEG 39KT 3672 9690
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
Ware615
WWUS54 KOUN 180024
SVSOUN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
724 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
OKC071-180033-
/O.CAN.KOUN.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-260418T0045Z/
Kay OK-
724 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL KAY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
eastern Kay county until 745 PM.
LAT...LON 3678 9675 3678 9679 3677 9679 3677 9682
3674 9683 3675 9687 3675 9689 3668 9693
3668 9696 3675 9696 3683 9675
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 261DEG 39KT 3674 9677
$$
WareWhat 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 Apr 17, 6:30 PM CDT, 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 626 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
- Severe storms, a few significant, are expected through this afternoon and tonight.
- Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are possible across parts of northwest and western Oklahoma into next week.
- Dry and cooler weather this weekend with a freeze possible Sunday morning (western and northern Oklahoma).
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 6:30 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
630 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 626 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
- Severe storms, a few significant, are expected through this
afternoon and tonight.
- Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are possible
across parts of northwest and western Oklahoma into next week.
- Dry and cooler weather this weekend with a freeze possible
Sunday morning (western and northern Oklahoma).
&&
.NEAR TERM...
(Rest of today and tonight)
Issued at 152 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
Severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening over
northern Oklahoma ahead of a cold front, with isolate and discrete
supercells possible ahead of the dryline this afternoon. Convective
initiation has already begun in Roger Mills, Woods, and Kay Counties,
although capping appears to remain farther east and south into central
Oklahoma.
The cold front has already moved into northwest Oklahoma but is
anticipated to slow in forward progression as a surface low nears
the 100th meridian. With MLCAPE and 0-6km bulk shear values prog'd
to rise to 3000-3500 J/kg and 50-75kts, hail up to the size of softballs
are possible across parts of northwest and western Oklahoma. While
models have consistently depicted storms developing along the cold
front and growing upscale across northern Oklahoma, they have been
meager on storm development ahead of the dryline in western Oklahoma.
However, there has been a noticeable increase in depicted supercells
(mainly isolated) ahead of the dryline this afternoon and evening,
especially near Roger Mills, Dewey, Custer Counties, where the triple
point is prog'd. With CI underway, it appears this scenario is beginning
to play out. Uncertainty remains if storms will fire farther south
ahead of the dryline.
Most of our FA is still significantly capped, with the exception of
a narrow zone ahead of the frontal boundaries and CAMS seem to keep
it capped as storms advance towards central Oklahoma. Expectation is
for storms to become elevated with the cold front this evening while
growing upscale and becoming a damaging wind threat and perhaps a few
QLCS tornadoes. Line of storms is anticipated to reach the I-40 corridor
between 8 PM and 11 PM.
As the front continues southward, strong northerly winds increase by
late evening, particularly over western/southwestern Oklahoma and
adjacent north Texas. Severe wind gusts are possible in this area,
but whether they are a result of convection or not, remains unclear.
Regardless, duration of this appears to be an hour or two. Storms are
anticipated to exit our area by 3 AM to 5 AM.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Saturday through Sunday night)
Issued at 152 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The cold front and showers/storms are expected to clear the FA just
before dawn. By this time, post-frontal winds will be strongest
closer to the Red River with gusts of 30-40 mph possible, and
morning low temperatures will be chilly (40's to low-50's). A cool,
dry airmass will be in place for Saturday with afternoon high
temperatures mainly in the 60's. The surface high will depart the
Rockies and transit our area by Saturday evening with winds becoming
light/variable on Saturday night and generally shifting to the
south/southwest by Sunday morning. Clear skies and light winds will
lead to near freezing temperatures for some locales on Sunday
morning.
By this time, an upper ridge is positioned over the western CONUS. A
shortwave embedded within the northwest flow will prompt weak
cyclogenesis on the lee-side of the Rockies, and this will result in
south and southwest winds increasing to 20-25mph across northwest
and western Oklahoma by Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, pleasant spring
weather is expected on Sunday with sunny skies and high temperatures
in the 70's.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Thursday)
Issued at 147 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
Medium-range guidance is in good agreement with a mid-level ridge
dominating the Plains through most of the long term. Overall,
mainly dry conditions are expected at least through the middle of
the week, with highs generally in the 70s. A low amplitude
shortwave trough is expected move across portions of
Texas/southern Oklahoma on Monday with height rises and ridging in
the wake of this feature on Tuesday. This will result in low rain
chances across mainly southern Oklahoma and western north Texas
on Monday with mainly dry conditions on Tuesday.
Confidence is beginning to increase in our next major system
arriving Thursday with storm potential ramping back up during this
timeframe. This will be a day to keep an eye out for in the
coming days.
Bunker
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 630 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms continues to move
southeast across northern Oklahoma. These storms will continue to
move southeast tonight. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and
ceiling/visibility reductions are expected.
Ahead of the front, gusty southerly winds will continue. As the
front moves through, winds will shift to the north and remain
gusty. Northerly winds will remain gusty through the TAF period.
Mahale
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK 45 64 40 73 / 90 0 0 0
Hobart OK 44 68 37 75 / 50 0 0 0
Wichita Falls TX 49 69 39 74 / 50 0 0 0
Gage OK 36 67 35 76 / 20 0 0 0
Ponca City OK 42 64 38 73 / 100 0 0 0
Durant OK 51 66 42 72 / 80 20 0 0
&&
.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for OKZ004-005-009-
010-014>016-021-022.
Wind Advisory until 8 AM CDT Saturday for OKZ004>007-009>012-
014>019-021>025-027>029-033>038-044.
TX...Wind Advisory until 8 AM CDT Saturday for TXZ083>086.
&&
NEAR TERM...01
SHORT TERM...01
LONG TERM....13
AVIATION...10In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 17, 6:33 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
633 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0612 PM Hail 3 E Pond Creek 36.67N 97.75W
04/17/2026 E1.75 Inch Grant OK Broadcast Media
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 6:34 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
634 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0624 PM Hail 3 SE Jefferson 36.69N 97.75W
04/17/2026 E2.00 Inch Grant OK CO-OP Observer
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 6:36 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
636 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0529 PM Hail 4 E Aline 36.51N 98.38W
04/17/2026 E1.75 Inch Alfalfa OK CO-OP Observer
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 6:40 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
640 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0622 PM Hail 1 N North Enid 36.44N 97.87W
04/17/2026 E2.50 Inch Garfield OK Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 6:46 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
646 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0646 PM Hail 2 WNW Tonkawa 36.70N 97.35W
04/17/2026 E1.00 Inch Kay OK Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 6:48 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Norman OK
648 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0648 PM Hail Blackwell 36.80N 97.28W
04/17/2026 E1.00 Inch Kay OK Emergency Mngr
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Norman, OK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 11:20 PM CDT | Wind Advisory | OUN | Alfalfa, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland and 23 more | 29 hr |
| Apr 17, 2:14 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Dewey | 31 min |
| Apr 17, 2:23 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Kay | 37 min |
| Apr 17, 2:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Woodward | 43 min |
| Apr 17, 2:38 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Alfalfa | 37 min |
| Apr 17, 2:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Woodward | 28 min |
| Apr 17, 3:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Major, Woods, Woodward | 38 min |
| Apr 17, 3:22 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Noble | 23 min |
| Apr 17, 3:23 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OUN | Alfalfa, Major, Woods, Woodward | 3 hr |
| Apr 17, 3:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Grant | 49 min |
| Apr 17, 3:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Woods | 23 min |
| Apr 17, 3:44 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Ellis, Woodward | 31 min |
| Apr 17, 4:15 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Grant | 30 min |
| Apr 17, 4:16 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OUN | Woodward | 29 min |
| Apr 17, 4:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Grant | 52 min |
| Apr 17, 4:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Major, Woodward | 49 min |
| Apr 17, 4:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Major, Woods | 49 min |
| Apr 17, 5:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Grant | 50 min |
| Apr 17, 5:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Major | 50 min |
| Apr 17, 5:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Grant | 11 min |
| Apr 17, 5:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Garfield, Major | 31 min |
| Apr 17, 5:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Kay | 20 min |
| Apr 17, 6:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Garfield, Grant, Kay, Noble | 43 min |
| Apr 17, 6:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Garfield, Grant, Noble | 48 min |
| Apr 17, 6:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Grant, Kay | 24 min |
| Apr 17, 6:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Blaine, Dewey, Major | 51 min |
| Apr 17, 6:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Garfield, Grant, Kay, Noble | 41 min |
| Apr 17, 6:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OUN | Kay | 40 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Oklahoma, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.