Thunderstorm Wind, Hughes
- When
- February 28, 11:40 PM CST
- Where
- Hughes County, 5.84 mi ESE of Gerty
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 34.820, -96.190
Nickel hail was reported as well. No damage reported.
Damaging Wind in Oklahoma, February 28, 2017
Storms formed out ahead of a cold front surging southeast across Oklahoma late on the 28th.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.
Storms formed out ahead of a cold front surging southeast across Oklahoma late on the 28th.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Feb 28, 11:38 PM CST, 2 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 28, 11:38 PM CST, 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Norman OK 1138 PM CST Tue Feb 28 2017 .DISCUSSION... The 06Z aviation discussion follows.... && .AVIATION... The cold front continues to sweep quickly southeast across Oklahoma and into north Texas, while a dryline also advances east, though not quite as fast. The cold front will have passed through all our TAF sites by about 0900Z. Strong thunderstorms will occur through about 0800Z over parts of south-central and southeast Oklahoma, but should be well east/southeast of our TAF sites. Brisk north to northwest winds will follow the cold front. A few hours of strong winds will immediately follow the front, then a few hours of a minor lull, then another increase in speeds by mid- morning Wednesday as vertical mixing increases. Toward sunset, winds will decrease rapidly, and most sites will become light and variable by midnight tomorrow night. CmS && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 806 PM CST Tue Feb 28 2017/ UPDATE... Expanded low chances for storms a bit farther west tonight, to a Ponca City to Waurika line and points eastward. Adjusted hourly surface elements tonight. Allowed the Wind Advisory to expire. DISCUSSION... A few severe thunderstorms may form and impact locations east of a Ponca City to Waurika line between 9 pm and 3 am tonight. Not confidence that storms will form at all in the Norman forecast area tonight due to the strength of the low level cap. However, based on latest HRRR model forecasts and the 18 UTC NAM12 and GFS model runs, confidence is slowly growing that a few severe thunderstorms may form and rapidly move east, mainly across the eastern half of Oklahoma, tonight. The latest SPC Day 1 shifted risk areas westward based on this guidance. Only kept rain chances in the 20-30% range due to low confidence of occurrence. If storms were to develop, very strong shear (0-1 km bulk shear around 30 kt and 0-6 km bulk shear 70-80 kt based on nearby RAP13 soundings) would support a few supercells that would move quickly east or northeast around 45 kt. First development could happen near the line mentioned above (Ponca City to Waurika). With steep mid level lapse rates (8-8.5C/km) and wet bulb zero heights around 9000 ft AGL, large hail would be the main concern, which could be very large, near or larger than golf ball size. Damaging winds would be possible if storms were to organize into a cluster or line, but this seems very doubtful as the stronger linear forcing should stay well north and east of Oklahoma. Even the tornado threat would not be zero due to strong low level shear and low LCLs due to abundant low level moisture. Again, not sure if storms will form at all, but if they do, they would have the potential to quickly become severe based on the nearby environment. The Red Flag Warning still remains in effect through 9 pm which seems reasonable due to breezy and dry conditions in parts of western Oklahoma and far western north Texas. Increasing humidity values should allow this product to expire at 9 pm. The Wind Advisory was allowed to expire at 7 pm as surface wind gusts should remain generally below 40 mph away from any possible storms tonight. The cold front will continue to move south tonight, bringing cooler and drier air along with breezy conditions. Products will be updated shortly. MBS PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 610 PM CST Tue Feb 28 2017/ DISCUSSION... The 00Z aviation discussion follows.... AVIATION... A deep surface low near KGAG will continue to move east overnight, dragging a cold front across Oklahoma and north Texas. Winds will shift from south to southwest at most sites about two hours before the front arrives, then to west, and finally northwest with the passage of the front. It appears that any showers or thunderstorms that occur with the front will be east of I-35, and will probably not affect any of our TAF sites. Winds will increase for a few hours behind the front, then subside until mid-morning Wednesday. As daytime mixing gets going around 1500Z, winds will increase again (from the north to northwest). Clouds should be above 12,000 ft, and no significant visibility restrictions are anticipated through the period. CmS PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 237 PM CST Tue Feb 28 2017/ DISCUSSION... Broken to overcast mid to high clouds have limited mixing for most locations except for western Oklahoma and adjacent parts of western north Texas. This has resulted in slightly more backed surface winds, higher relative humidity, and cooler temperatures. Therefore, opted to trim back part of the Red Flag Warning. For this evening into tonight, a cold front will pass by from northwest to southeast across the area. A tight pressure gradient will result in gusty northwest winds for 3-4 hours immediately behind the cold front. Some isolated storms will remain possible in the moist sector, primarily across southeast Oklahoma. The HRRR and HRRRX still indicate isolated thunderstorms will be possible across southeast Oklahoma; however, greater coverage is expected to be the east. Northerly winds will remain breezy on Wednesday, which will result in elevated fire weather conditions. Temperatures will be cooler, more seasonable for late February. By Thursday morning, the surface ridge is progged to be centered across the Southern Plains. Consequently, many locations are expected to be near or below freezing. As the ridge shifts eastward, southerly winds will return across the area late Thursday into Friday. This will commence a steady warm-up into next weekend. Southerly winds could become quite gusty by Saturday and Sunday. Also on Sunday, unseasonably warm weather is expected to return across the area. Both the 28/12Z ECMWF and GFS indicate 850 mb temperatures near 19C across western Oklahoma. A cold front is expected to pass by Monday, though there is some uncertainty on the timing of the front. There will be a chance of showers/storms as the front passes by. Cooler weather is expected behind the front on Tuesday. Mahale && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Oklahoma City OK 41 58 31 62 / 10 0 0 0 Hobart OK 38 59 29 62 / 0 0 0 0 Wichita Falls TX 43 61 32 63 / 10 0 0 0 Gage OK 32 55 24 62 / 10 0 0 0 Ponca City OK 37 56 27 61 / 20 0 0 0 Durant OK 47 63 36 63 / 30 10 0 0 && .OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...None. TX...None. && 17/23/23
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 28, 8:46 PM CST, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Norman OK 846 PM CST Tue Feb 28 2017 OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-020300- 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- 846 PM CST Tue Feb 28 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northern... western...central...and southern Oklahoma...and western north Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight... .Thunderstorms... Isolated thunderstorms will be possible east of I-35 mainly between before 3 am tonight. A few severe storms could develop. The risk for severe thunderstorms will be east of a Stillwater to Ardmore, Oklahoma line. Large hail up to golf ball size and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph would be the primary hazards. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... .Fire Weather... Elevated fire weather conditions are expected Wednesday and Thursday afternoon across western Oklahoma and western north Texas due to dry and windy conditions. Critical fire weather conditions are possible Friday across mainly northwestern Oklahoma due to warm, dry, and windy conditions. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions may be possible Saturday through Monday as well. Get graphics and more details at weather.gov/norman...and follow our weather forecast office on Twitter and Facebook. Mahale/30/MBS
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Feb 28, 10:52 PM CST, 48 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK 1052 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017 OKZ031-032-042-010515- Pontotoc OK-Hughes OK-Seminole OK- 1052 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR northern Pontotoc...southwestern Hughes and southeastern Seminole Counties Until 1115 PM CST... AT 1048 PM CST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Ada, moving east-northeast at 55 MPH. HAZARDS INCLUDE... Hail up to one-half inch diameter... Wind gusts to 50 MPH... LAT...LON 3472 9679 3481 9683 3504 9631 3480 9620 TIME...MOT...LOC 0448Z 249DEG 48KT 3479 9672 ..speg.
Special weather statement, Feb 28, 11:13 PM CST, 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
1113 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017
OKZ031-032-042-010545-
Pontotoc OK-Hughes OK-Seminole OK-
1113 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR northeastern Pontotoc...central
Hughes and southeastern Seminole Counties Until 1145 PM CST...
AT 1111 PM CST, strong thunderstorms were along a line extending
from 6 miles east of Calvin to near Allen, moving east-northeast at
60 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
LAT...LON 3512 9601 3511 9604 3509 9606 3506 9607
3505 9609 3494 9609 3477 9655 3494 9655
3513 9602 3513 9601
TIME...MOT...LOC 0511Z 247DEG 51KT 3500 9615 3489 9641
..speg.Special weather statement, Feb 28, 11:21 PM CST, 19 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
1121 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017
OKZ041-042-047-010545-
Johnston OK-Pontotoc OK-Murray OK-
1121 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR north central Johnston...
southwestern Pontotoc and northeastern Murray Counties Until 1145 PM
CST...
AT 1118 PM CST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Hickory,
moving east at 25 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to one-half inch diameter...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
LAT...LON 3449 9698 3461 9701 3474 9656 3450 9651
3448 9652
TIME...MOT...LOC 0518Z 260DEG 22KT 3457 9688
..speg.Special weather statement, Feb 28, 11:22 PM CST, 18 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Norman OK
1122 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017
OKZ041-046-047-010545-
Carter OK-Johnston OK-Murray OK-
1122 PM CST TUE FEB 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR east central Carter...
northwestern Johnston and southeastern Murray Counties Until 1145 PM
CST...
AT 1118 PM CST, a strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles west of
Springer, moving east-northeast at 60 MPH.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Hail up to the size of nickels...
Wind gusts to 50 MPH...
LAT...LON 3425 9731 3436 9732 3452 9683 3451 9683
3450 9680 3430 9670
TIME...MOT...LOC 0518Z 253DEG 50KT 3432 9722
..speg.The radar
The Norman radar (KTLX), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:41 UTC.
Event by event
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
What these are
- Thunderstorm Wind
- Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Tornado and Hail in Missouri, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Flooding in Illinois, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes in Indiana, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes in Arkansas, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, February 28, 2017
- Wildfire and High Wind in Texas, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Hail in Kansas, February 28, 2017
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Missouri, February 28, 2017
- Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, February 28, 2017
More
Every storm in Oklahoma in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, February 2017
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 680549.