Saturday: Newest severe weather threat, what we're watching in Oklahoma
The tornado risk is climbing for Saturday across Oklahoma. Here's what to know
The tornado risk is climbing for Saturday across Oklahoma. Here's what to know
The tornado risk is climbing for Saturday across Oklahoma. Here's what to know
With severe weather possible across Oklahoma on Saturday, KOCO 5 Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane goes over the newest threat and what is becoming clearer, as well as what we're still watching.
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Saturday is certainly lining up to have the chance for significant severe weather. As of Thursday evening, the Storm Prediction Center issued an enhanced risk across central Oklahoma.
A large storm system will move in and strengthen as it approaches Oklahoma. This is called a "negative tilt," as the storm is angled from northwest to southeast. In these type of situations, strong tornadoes can occur when you have isolated supercells.
One thing that has become a bit clearer is that this may be a day where we see various waves of storm chances rather than a "one-and-done" threat.
What we are still not sure of is when storms fire and how soon. If storms develop in Texas and move into Oklahoma before sunrise, then the risk will be noticeable lower as the atmosphere will see less instability in play. While instability will be lower, the shear will be enough to still keep a tornado risk in play, but it will be lower.
On the other hand, if storms do not develop until after sunrise and closer to noon, then the risk will increase as more instability will be available for the storms to use.
Also, the threat for heavy rain is also going to be a big concern, especially at night, as there is now a moderate risk for flooding for south of Interstate 44.
Bottom line, we still have a lot of data to still analyze and will continue to update you here at KOCO.
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