Tornado watches covering dozens of counties across Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma were in effect Wednesday morning as the National Weather Service (NWS) warned of dangerous conditions, including damaging winds and large hail.
Why It Matters
According to the NWS, “A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.”
The agency’s Storm Prediction Center said the watches include moderate probabilities for tornadoes, with a particular emphasis on the chance for tornadoes of EF2—with winds of 111 to 135 miles per hour, according to the Enhanced Fujita scale—or stronger in some areas.
What To Know
Tornado Watch No. 93, which is in effect until 7 a.m. central time Wednesday, forecasts widespread hail events up to 2.5 inches in diameter and “isolated significant gusts to 80 mph.”
“A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible,” the alert said, warning residents to be prepared for sudden, severe conditions.
The affected region stretched from central Kansas to near the Missouri border.
The watch covered 31 counties across central, south-central and southeast Kansas.
Tornado Watch No. 94, issued at 2:30 a.m. and valid until 10 a.m., expanded the severe threat warning eastward into western and northern Missouri and parts of northeastern Kansas.
In Missouri, 31 counties are under the watch.
Tornado Watch No. 95, issued at 2:45 a.m., further extended the area of heightened tornado risk into Oklahoma. This watch was in effect until 10 a.m. and included more than 40 counties across the state.
Among the most populous counties included are Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, Cleveland County and Comanche County.
What People Are Saying
NWS Norman, Oklahoma, said on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: “3:45 a.m. A line of thunderstorms is currently moving across portions of Oklahoma and has had a history of producing severe weather. As this line continues to move eastward over the next few hours, severe weather will remain possible.”
NWS Topeka, Kansas, said on X, Tuesday: “Strong to severe thunderstorms will remain possible through the overnight hours. Storms will move east with time, eventually exiting into Missouri around sunrise. The main severe threat will transition to damaging wind gusts.”
NWS Kansas City, Missouri, said on X, Wednesday: “Entering Phase 2 of the event, a strong line of storms is progressing eastward. Time of arrival has constricted and we are looking for this to enter the KC metro within the next hour or two.
Primary hazards include damaging winds, hail, and potentially embedded tornadoes.”
What Happens Next
Forecasters caution residents in the affected areas to look out for threatening weather conditions and monitor the NWS’s forecasts and local alerts. Additional advisories may follow as conditions evolve.
