Shawnee, OK Tornado Preliminary Rating EF4: Severe Threat Continues… MOD Monday!

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Scattered showers and storms developed across the middle part of the country on Sunday, some were severe with several tornadoes reported. One of the strongest tornadoes on Sunday was in the Shawnee, OK area. The National Weather Service out of Norman, OK has preliminary rated the Shawnee, OK tornado as an EF4. Thanks to @ProSyndicate for the picture below, which shows the violent tornado just outside of what looks to be a truck stop.

Here’s another shot of the Shawnee, OK tornado… If you look closely, you can actually see debris being kicked up around the base of the tornado!

Shawnee, OK EF4 Damage

This is a look at some aerial damage over Shawnee, OK… Pretty dramatic! No surprise with potential EF4 winds of 166mph to 200mph.

Recent Sudden Surge in National Tornadoes

Thanks to the large Pacific storm that we talked about so extensively last week, we’ve see a recent uptick in the number of tornadoes across the nation. The images below are the PRELIMINARY TORNADO reports since last Friday.

2013 National Tornadoes vs. Average

According to the Storm Prediction Center, as of Sunday May 19th, the national PRELIMINARY TORNADO county is up to 304. Keep in mind that the average to date is typical more than 700! Even with the recent uptick in national tornadoes, the 2013 tornado drought continues!

Average U.S. Tornadoes By Month

May is typically the most active tornado month across the nation with the national average at nearly 275.

Thunder Threat Continues

The same slow moving storm system will wobble east through the next few days. It appears that the main thunder threat will remain in the central part of the country through at least midweek.

Severe Threat Monday

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a MODERATE RISK of severe weather for parts of the Central/Southern Plains today. The biggest concern for tornadoes looks like it’ll be over parts of Oklahoma/Arkansas/Missouri. As of midday Monday, a number of watches had been issued by the Storm Prediction Center.

Tornado Threat Today

Severe Threat Tuesday

The Storm Prediction Center has issued another MODERATE RISK of severe weather for Tuesday across parts of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley.

Heavy Rainfall

With several rounds of showers and thunderstorm still possible across the middle part of the country. The 3 day HPC precipitation forecast suggests nearly 2″ to 4″+ of rainfall potential.