Tornadoes · United States · Oklahoma · 2019

EF1 tornado, Sumner, Oklahoma, May 5, 2019

This EF1 tornado ran 1.5 miles across Noble County on May 5, 2019, touching down at 11:54 PM CDT and reaching 30 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $30,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF1
Date
May 5, 2019
Touchdown
11:54 PM CDT (04:54 UTC)
Lifted
11:56 PM CDT (04:56 UTC)
On the ground
2 minutes
Path length
1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Path width
30 yards (27 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$30,000
County
Noble County
Touchdown point
36.282, -97.198
Lift-off point
36.277, -97.175
Record number
1905052254-01

The damage survey

3 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS OUN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 107 mph.

  • Multiple trees snapped on property

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

Thunderstorms moved into the area late in the evening on the 5th with enough instability and shear present to maintain severe weather into the early morning hours of the 6th.

A car was flipped, a garage door damaged, and numerous trees were downed by a tornado east of Perry.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

6 minutes of warning. NWS OUN issued a tornado warning for this county at 04:48 UTC, 6 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 05:30 UTC.

The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 22:52 UTC and running to 06:00 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
22:52 UTC06:00 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WatchOUN
03:10 UTC04:00 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUN
03:16 UTC06:15 UTCFlood AdvisoryOUN
04:05 UTC04:45 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUN
04:35 UTC05:15 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUN
04:48 UTC05:30 UTCTornado WarningOUN
05:04 UTC05:45 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningOUN
05:14 UTC08:15 UTCFlood AdvisoryOUN
06:23 UTC08:15 UTCFlood AdvisoryOUN

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk. The outlook in force was issued at 02:12 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Norman, OK (KOUN), 00:00Z

4.9 hours before the tornado, 119 km from the path. May 6, 2019.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Norman, OK at 00:00Z on 2019-05-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 1390 joules per kilogram, CIN -34, lifted condensation level 1111 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Norman, OK at 00:00Z on 2019-05-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 54 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 44 knots.193958Sfc1 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. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1390 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-34 J/kg
Surface CAPE
2832 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1111 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
54 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
178 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.9
Supercell composite
8.0
0-3 km lapse rate
6.6 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Norman, OK (KOUN), 12:00Z

7.1 hours after it, 119 km from the path. May 6, 2019.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Norman, OK at 12:00Z on 2019-05-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 903 joules per kilogram, CIN -188, lifted condensation level 757 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Norman, OK at 12:00Z on 2019-05-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 214 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 31 knots.193958Sfc1 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. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
903 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-188 J/kg
Surface CAPE
69 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
757 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
214 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
235 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
5.1
0-3 km lapse rate
4.0 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Stillwater Municipal (SWO), 16 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
02:55 UTC130° 11 kt1009.5
03:00 UTC130° 11 kt1009.8
03:05 UTC130° 11 kt1009.8
03:10 UTC130° 15 kt1009.5
03:15 UTC130° 13 kt1009.5-RA
03:23 UTC7362140° 15 kt1009.5VCTS -RA
03:25 UTC130° 13 kt1009.5-RA
03:30 UTC130° 11 kt1009.1-RA
03:31 UTC7262120° 11 kt1009.1TS
03:35 UTC120° 15 kt1009.5-RA
03:40 UTC120° 11 kt1009.1-RA
03:50 UTC120° 11 kt1009.1RA
03:53 UTC7063120° 13 kt1008.8+TSRA
03:55 UTC 14 kt1008.5+RA
04:00 UTC 16 kt1008.5-RA
04:05 UTC 15 kt1008.5-RA
04:10 UTC140° 13 kt1008.5
04:15 UTC220° 7 kt1009.5-RA
04:20 UTC280° 5 kt1009.5RA
04:25 UTC290° 2 kt1009.1-RA
04:30 UTC0° 0 kt1008.8-RA
04:35 UTC150° 5 kt1008.8-RA
04:36 UTC7064160° 7 kt1009.1VCTS RA
04:40 UTC150° 5 kt1008.8+RA
04:44 UTC6964130° 6 kt1008.8+TSRA
04:45 UTC130° 7 kt1008.8RA
04:53 UTC6964160° 13 kt1008.8VCTS -RA
04:55 UTC 13 kt1008.8-RA
05:00 UTC 10 kt1009.1-RA
05:02 UTC6964280° 13 kt171010.2-TSRA
05:05 UTC 14 kt1010.2-RA
05:10 UTC 16 kt1009.1+RA
05:15 UTC 11 kt1010.8RA
05:16 UTC6459250° 15 kt281011.2TSRA
05:20 UTC 23 kt1011.5+RA
05:22 UTC6258350° 32 kt401010.8+TSRA BR
05:25 UTC 1010.8+RA FG
05:28 UTC615810° 25 kt401010.8+TSRA FG
05:30 UTC10° 1010.5+RA BR
05:33 UTC615710° 23 kt371010.8+TSRA BR
05:35 UTC20° 21 kt1010.8+RA BR
05:37 UTC615820° 20 kt351010.8TSRA BR
05:40 UTC20° 16 kt1011.2-RA BR
05:43 UTC615820° 16 kt1011.5VCTS -RA
05:45 UTC20° 14 kt-RA
05:46 UTC615720° 13 kt1011.9-RA
05:50 UTC20° 11 kt1011.9-RA
05:53 UTC615710° 9 kt1011.9-RA
05:55 UTC360° 8 kt-RA
06:00 UTC20° 8 kt1011.5-RA
06:05 UTC30° 9 kt1011.2-RA
06:10 UTC40° 11 kt1009.8-RA
06:15 UTC40° 11 kt1009.8-RA
06:20 UTC40° 13 kt1009.1-RA
06:25 UTC 11 kt1009.5-RA
06:30 UTC30° 11 kt1009.8
06:35 UTC30° 10 kt1009.8
06:40 UTC30° 9 kt1009.8
06:50 UTC40° 7 kt1010.2
06:53 UTC615660° 5 kt1010.2

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Vance AFB radar (KVNX), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 04:52 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
02:40 UTCHAIL 1HunterGarfield, OK
04:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG10 W PerryGarfield, OKLARGE BARN DESTROYED.
04:40 UTCTSTM WND DMGPerryNoble, OKTREES AND POWER POLES DOWN.
04:52 UTCTORNADO5 Ese PerryNoble, OKLARGE BARN DESTROYED, TREES SNAPPED, CARS FLIPPED. TIME IS RADAR ESTIMATE.
05:26 UTCTSTM WND GST 756 Wsw PawneePawnee, OKSTORM SPOTTER MEASURED A BRIEF GUST TO 75 MPH NEAR LELA ON THE PAWNEE AND NOBLE COUNTY LINE. RELAYED BY MEDIA VIA NWSCHAT.
05:30 UTCHAIL 1PerkinsPayne, OKTIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2019 tornado in OklahomaEvery tornado in Oklahoma since 1950Warnings in force in Oklahoma nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of May 5, 2019

21 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
May 511:27 AM EDTEF1Marion, FL0.9100
May 512:40 PM EDTEF0Pinellas, FL0.450$50,000
May 55:35 PM CDTUnratedLancaster, NE0.050
May 55:36 PM CDTEF0Ford, KS0.675
May 55:38 PM CDTEF2Lancaster, NE0.6200
May 55:45 PM CDTEF2Lynn, TX17.22,112$36,000
May 56:15 PM CDTEF1Meade, KS1.1100
May 56:25 PM CDTEF1Barton, KS0.675$40,000
May 56:30 PM CDTUnratedRice, KS0.250
May 56:49 PM CDTUnratedMeade, KS0.475
May 57:00 PM CDTEF0Rice, KS0.575$20,000
May 57:04 PM CDTUnratedMeade, KS0.775
May 57:12 PM CDTEF1Lynn, TX5.0880
May 57:13 PM CDTEF0Reno, KS0.3200
May 57:34 PM CDTEF1Reno, KS0.1300
May 57:35 PM CDTEF1Reno, KS0.4100$100,000
May 58:00 PM CDTUnratedReno, KS0.250
May 58:20 PM CDTUnratedReno, KS0.350
May 58:39 PM CDTEF0Sumner, KS0.875
May 58:49 PM CDTUnratedRoberts, TX6.4500
May 58:59 PM CDTEF0Borden, TX0.450

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.