Tornadoes · United States · Oklahoma · 2021
EF0 tornado, Beggs, Oklahoma, October 10, 2021
This EF0 tornado ran 2.2 miles across Okmulgee County on October 10, 2021, touching down at 10:05 PM CDT and reaching 300 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $10,000 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.
EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
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.
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.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
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.
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
- EF0
- Date
- October 10, 2021
- Touchdown
- 10:05 PM CDT (03:05 UTC)
- Lifted
- 10:12 PM CDT (03:12 UTC)
- On the ground
- 7 minutes
- Path length
- 2.2 miles (3.5 km)
- Path width
- 300 yards (274 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $10,000
- County
- Okmulgee County
- Touchdown point
- 35.732, -96.070
- Lift-off point
- 35.751, -96.040
- Record number
- 2110102105-01
The damage survey
7 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS TSA, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 80 mph.
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
Severe thunderstorms developed across central Oklahoma during the afternoon of the 10th, along a cold front that was moving into the area. These storms moved eastward and across eastern Oklahoma during the evening. In response to a strong upper level disturbance translating into the Southern Plains, wind fields as well as wind shear strengthened considerably during the evening across eastern Oklahoma ahead of the approaching thunderstorms. The very strong wind shear combined with moderately strong instability that existed across the area, resulted in some supercell thunderstorms, as well as the eventual evolution of a squall line. One of the supercells produced a tornado, and the squall line produced several tornadoes as it moved through eastern Oklahoma. Large hail up to two inches in diameter, and damaging wind gusts also occurred from these thunderstorms.
This tornado developed along the leading edge of a strong convective line of thunderstorms to the south of Beggs, north of the E890 Road and west of the N390 Road, where large tree limbs were snapped. The tornado moved northeast across Highway 16, and then dissipated to the north of the E875 Road. Large tree limbs were snapped throughout the path of the tornado. The roofs of several homes were also damaged by the tornado. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 75 to 80 mph.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, 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 the tornado touched down at Oct 10, 8:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Oct 10, 8:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tulsa OK 849 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021 ...UPDATE... ...Severe weather threat continues this evening with localized flash flooding... .DISCUSSION... Clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms with embedded bow structures will move into northeast Oklahoma over the next few hours. The low level wind fields have started to rapidly increase and the threat for damaging winds, including a few tornadoes will continue. 0-1 km shear is already 35 kts and is expected to increase into the 40 to locally 50 kt range ahead of line. Instability across southeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas will also continue to slowly increase in conjunction with the low level jet and therefore the damaging wind/tornado threat will likely persist as the main convective line sweeps through the remainder of the area. In addition, slow moving storms with very heavy rainfall will also continue with a localized flash flood threat across northeast Oklahoma. A secondary cluster of strong to marginally severe storms will likely redevelop across portions of northeast Oklahoma after midnight in association with upper vort max. This could further aggravate flooding concerns where the heavier rainfall occurs this evening. Overall, current forecast on track with some minor changes to thunderstorm timing expected. && .TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...Flash Flood Watch until 4 AM CDT Monday for OKZ054>067. AR...None. && SHORT TERM...12
Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 10, 5:10 PM CDT, 4 hours 55 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
510 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021
ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-111115-
Adair OK-Benton AR-Carroll AR-Cherokee OK-Choctaw OK-Craig OK-
Crawford AR-Creek OK-Delaware OK-Franklin AR-Haskell OK-Latimer OK-
Le Flore OK-Madison AR-Mayes OK-McIntosh OK-Muskogee OK-Nowata OK-
Okfuskee OK-Okmulgee OK-Osage OK-Ottawa OK-Pawnee OK-Pittsburg OK-
Pushmataha OK-Rogers OK-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-Tulsa OK-Wagoner OK-
Washington OK-Washington AR-
510 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021
...SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED THIS EVENING INTO TONIGHT...
This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.
.DAY ONE...This evening through Tonight.
TORNADO.
RISK...Significant.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...After 6 PM Northeast Oklahoma...After 8 PM Southeast
Oklahoma...After Midnight Northwest Arkansas.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
RISK...Critical.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...After 6 PM Northeast Oklahoma...After 8 PM Southeast
Oklahoma...After Midnight Northwest Arkansas.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...Eastern Oklahoma.
FLASH FLOOD.
RISK...Elevated.
AREA...Northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...This Evening.
HEAVY RAIN.
RISK...Significant.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...This Evening.
SIGNIFICANT WINDS.
RISK...Limited.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
DISCUSSION...
Significant severe weather is expected this evening into tonight
across eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas with all modes of
severe weather possible. Thunderstorms will begin to increase in
coverage and intensity across northeast Oklahoma this evening and
northwest Arkansas after midnight tonight. Sufficient instability
coupled with very strong shear values along and ahead of a cold
front and dryline will help storms that initially begin as discrete
to develop into a squall line and persist well after dark. The
initial concern with isolated discrete cells will be large hail,
damaging winds and tornadoes. During the evening hours, storms will
become more linear and transition to more of a damaging wind threat.
However, strong low level shear values will aid in continuing a
tornado threat into the overnight hours, especially with the
potential for quick spin ups along the leading line. The greater
potential for severe storms looks to be along and either side of
Interstate 44 southward along the US 75 corridor. Precipitation will
begin to taper off from west to east late tonight.
Periods of heavy rainfall will be likely across portions of
northeast Oklahoma as ample amounts of low level moisture stream
into the region ahead of the cold front. Intense rain rates combined
with the potential for training storms in northeast Oklahoma will
allow for widespread 1 to 2 inches of rain with locally higher
amounts between 4 and 5 inches possible through tonight. A flash
flood watch is in effect for areas along and north of Interstate 44
through late tonight.
SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Activation of the Regional Spotter Network Expected.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.
MONDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
TUESDAY...Severe Thunderstorm...High Wind and Heavy Rain Potential.
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...Thunderstorm Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
FRIDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
SATURDAY...No Hazards.
EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
A few showers and thunderstorms will be possible Monday morning
across parts of far northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
Precipitation should exit by late morning Monday as the low pressure
system lifts off to the northeast. Behind the cold front and storm
system, breezy west to northwesterly winds will be possible, though
should weaken during the afternoon as the low pushes further
northeast.
Additional shower and thunderstorm chances return Tuesday and
Wednesday as a frontal boundary lifts back through the region and
another low pressure system moves out into the Plains. Severe
weather potential and heavy rainfall will again be possible with
the greater thunderstorm chances Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Shower and thunderstorm chances continue Thursday and Friday
before another cold front and the upper level low pressure finally
move through and exit the region.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING STATEMENT...
Forecast updates should be closely monitored through the evening
as severe storm timing and locations are refined with latest data.
weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.In the hours before
Local storm report, Oct 10, 7:02 PM CDT, 3 hours 3 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
702 PM CDT SUN OCT 10 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0649 PM HAIL 16 WSW APPERSON 36.67N 97.04W
10/10/2021 M2.00 INCH OSAGE OK PUBLIC
2 INCH HAIL REPORTED SE OF PONCA CITY.
&&Special weather statement, Oct 10, 8:05 PM CDT, 2 hours before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
805 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021
OKZ054-059-110200-
Osage OK-Pawnee OK-
805 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Osage
and Pawnee Counties through 900 PM CDT...
At 804 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Lake Mcmurtry, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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 in or near the path include...
Pawnee... Cleveland...
Jennings... Ralston...
Hallett... Blackburn...
Maramec... Skedee...
Sooner Lake... Southwestern Kaw Lake...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 northeastern
Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3661 9705 3669 9696 3669 9693 3674 9689
3622 9638 3616 9663 3616 9682 3624 9682
3625 9692 3633 9693 3634 9703 3651 9703
3651 9701 3653 9698 3655 9690 3658 9689
3660 9692 3658 9698 3659 9706 3660 9706
TIME...MOT...LOC 0104Z 239DEG 33KT 3616 9717
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
69Special weather statement, Oct 10, 9:17 PM CDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
917 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021
OKZ054-059-110315-
Osage OK-Pawnee OK-
917 PM CDT Sun Oct 10 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Osage and
central Pawnee Counties through 1015 PM CDT...
At 916 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 3 miles
east of Blackburn, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations in or near the path include...
Pawhuska... Hominy...
Cleveland... Barnsdall...
Wynona... Ralston...
Avant... Osage...
Hallett... Blackburn...
Tallant... Pershing...
Nelagoney...
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 3643 9600 3618 9653 3647 9677 3679 9636
TIME...MOT...LOC 0216Z 228DEG 21KT 3637 9654
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
69Special weather statement, Oct 10, 9:55 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
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</html>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
3.1 hours before the tornado, 135 km from the path. October 11, 2021.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1436 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -35 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 1752 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1199 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 71 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 20 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 187 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 255 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.9
- Supercell composite
- 8.8
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 6.2 K/km
The surface observations
Okmulgee Municipal Airport (OKM), 12 km from the path, in the two hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Temp (°F) | Dew point (°F) | Wind | Gust (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 UTC |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.
The radar
The Tulsa radar (KINX), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 03:03 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.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2021 tornado in OklahomaEvery tornado in Oklahoma since 1950Warnings in force in Oklahoma nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of October 10, 2021
18 more were confirmed in the United States that day.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 10 | 5:59 PM CDT | Unrated | Kiowa, OK | 0.1 | 20 | |||
| October 10 | 6:10 PM CDT | EF2 | Cook, MN | 4.0 | 500 | |||
| October 10 | 6:13 PM CDT | EF1 | Kiowa, OK | 2.9 | 200 | $30,000 | ||
| October 10 | 6:20 PM CDT | EF1 | Caddo, OK | 4.4 | 50 | $40,000 | ||
| October 10 | 6:45 PM CDT | EF2 | Caddo, OK | 8.1 | 100 | $60,000 | ||
| October 10 | 7:02 PM CDT | Unrated | Grady, OK | 1.8 | 50 | |||
| October 10 | 7:16 PM CDT | Unrated | Grady, OK | 0.2 | 50 | |||
| October 10 | 8:21 PM CDT | EF0 | Oklahoma, OK | 3.3 | 250 | $20,000 | ||
| October 10 | 8:41 PM CDT | EF0 | Lincoln, OK | 1.1 | 30 | $5,000 | ||
| October 10 | 8:41 PM CDT | EF0 | Pottawatomie, OK | 1.6 | 50 | $10,000 | ||
| October 10 | 8:54 PM CDT | EF0 | Pottawatomie, OK | 1.6 | 50 | |||
| October 10 | 9:26 PM CDT | EF1 | Okfuskee, OK | 2.7 | 300 | $150,000 | ||
| October 10 | 9:26 PM CDT | EF1 | Pontotoc, OK | 7.3 | 300 | $100,000 | ||
| October 10 | 9:42 PM CDT | Unrated | Creek, OK | 1.0 | 100 | |||
| October 10 | 10:30 PM CDT | Unrated | Tulsa, OK | 0.7 | 100 | |||
| October 10 | 10:45 PM CDT | EF1 | Wagoner, OK | 3.4 | 700 | $3.0 million | ||
| October 10 | 11:30 PM CDT | EF1 | Muskogee, OK | 13.7 | 900 | $65,000 | ||
| October 10 | 12:10 AM CDT | EF1 | Delaware, OK | 5.9 | 200 |
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.