The Storm Prediction Center has raised the threat level to the highest possible, 5 out of 5, for parts of central Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City, extending into southern Kansas. This heightened risk is due to the potential for multiple intense, long-track tornadoes.
High-risk days are infrequent and are designated when there is a strong likelihood of severe weather outbreaks, including tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Such high-risk designations occur only a few times each year on average.
The most recent Level 5 risk was issued on March 31, 2023, resulting in over 150 tornado reports on that day. It has been nearly five years since Oklahoma experienced a high-risk weather event and almost seven years for Kansas.
Anticipated severe storms are expected to impact Oklahoma and southern Kansas later in the afternoon and persist into the evening hours. The Storm Prediction Center has cautioned that the region may face multiple intense, long-track tornadoes, very large to giant hail, and severe/damaging winds.
