Unusual ‘High-Risk’ Warning In Place
In a rare move, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a “high-risk” warning for central Oklahoma and southern Kansas, underscoring the severity of the incoming storm system. This high-risk label is uncommon and only used when extreme weather conditions are highly likely.
Nearly 10 million people reside in the affected regions, including residents in major cities like Oklahoma City and Wichita.
“It’s the highest level of threat we can assign. And it’s a day to take very, very seriously,” cautioned Bill Bunting, deputy director of the Storm Prediction Center. “This type of warning is not common, and it’s critical to heed it,” he added. Other areas under watch include Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln, Nebraska, where residents are urged to be vigilant and ready to take shelter if necessary.
Ongoing Preparations As Emergency Services Mobilize
In response to the forecast, the Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated, coordinating storm response from its base near the state Capitol. Many state agencies have granted early dismissal for non-essential personnel, allowing them time to prepare. This comes after last weekend’s deadly storms in Oklahoma, which left a trail of destruction.
The last “high-risk” warning was issued on March 31, 2023, when a massive storm swept through parts of the South and Midwest, affecting communities in Arkansas, Illinois, and Indiana. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter emphasized that Monday’s high-risk alert represents “the most severe weather event in five years.”
Meteorologists Warn Of A ‘Perfect Setup’ For Major Tornado Outbreak
Jon Porter of AccuWeather warns that conditions are highly favorable for a major tornado outbreak across the southern Plains, noting that “all the ingredients you need are here today.” Porter further cautioned that thunderstorms could generate winds exceeding 80 mph and produce “supercell” tornadoes — powerful, sustained storms that can create large-scale destruction.
“These are the kinds of tornadoes that can be particularly intense and long-lasting,” Porter explained. “They have the potential to last for 45 minutes to an hour or more, leaving paths of destruction in their wake.” Residents in the affected areas are advised to take shelter immediately upon receiving alerts and to monitor updates closely as conditions evolve.
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