Today is forecast to be nearly the same temperature as yesterday.
Nowcast as of 1:07 PM CDT on May 10, 2008
Now
At 1 PM...National Weather Service radars continued to indicate thunderstorms over portions of eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. In western Arkansas...the activity was located across western Benton and Washington counties. In eastern Oklahoma...thunderstorms were moving into northern Pittsburg and southern McIntosh counties. Movement was to the east northeast at 45 miles an hour. Through 2:30 PM...thunderstorm activity will increase across the area as a strong upper level storm system pushes into the area. A warm front will continue moving northward across east central Oklahoma...further destabilizing the atmosphere. A cold front and dryline now in north central Oklahoma will push into western sections of northeast Oklahoma within the next several hours. As all of these factor move closer to northeast Oklahoma...thunderstorms will erupt east of the Interstate 35 corridor. The thunderstorms now in southeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas will continue northeast...with a threat of large hail and damaging winds. A Tornado Watch is in effect for most of northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas until 7 PM. Continue to monitor NOAA all hazards radio...or local television and radio for the latest updates and watch and warning information from the National Weather Service in Tulsa.
Forecast for Pawnee
Updated: 1:38 PM CDT on May 10, 2008
Tornado Watch 293 in effect until 7 PM CDT this evening...
This Afternoon
Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may be severe. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.
Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 50.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning...then partly cloudy with chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 70.
Tornado Watch 293 remains valid until 7 PM CDT this evening for the following areas
In Arkansas this watch includes 7 counties
In northwest Arkansas
Benton Carroll Crawford Madison Washington
In west central Arkansas
Franklin Sebastian
In Oklahoma this watch includes 17 counties
In east central Oklahoma
Cherokee Muskogee Sequoyah
In northeast Oklahoma
Adair Craig creek Delaware Mayes Nowata Okmulgee Osage Ottawa Pawnee Rogers Tulsa Wagoner Washington
This includes the cities of... Bartlesville... Bentonville... Berryville... Bristow... Charleston... Claremore... Eureka Springs... Fayetteville... Fort Smith... Huntsville... Jay... Miami... Muskogee... Nowata... Okmulgee... Ozark... Pawhuska... Pawnee... Pryor... Rogers... Sallisaw... Springdale... Stilwell... Tahlequah... Tulsa... Van Buren... Vinita and Wagoner.
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 12:57 PM CDT on May 10, 2008
... Review of severe weather safety rules... an outbreak of severe thunderstorms is expected across portions of eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas later today. Residents across the region should monitor this situation very closely. Watches and warnings will likely be issued later today. Here are some safety rules to keep in mind when severe weather is expected or is occurring.
Before severe weather strikes... ensure that you and your family are fully prepared. In a home or building have a pre-designated shelter... such as a basement or an interior room or hallway. Have on hand a disaster supply kit... including a NOAA Weather Radio... flashlight... radio and a good supply of batteries.
If a severe thunderstorm or Tornado Warning is issued... seek shelter indoors immediately. A severe thunderstorm is defined as producing penny size or greater hail and wind gusts of 58 mph or more. In extreme cases... severe thunderstorms can produce winds to near 150 mph and hail larger than grapefruits which can cause extensive property damage.
Tornadoes often form very rapidly from severe thunderstorms. If you are in a Tornado Watch... and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for your area... monitor local conditions closely and be ready to take quick action to save your life.
Remember that lightning is a thunderstorms most underrated killer. Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is the best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation. Automobiles offer good protection from lightning... although moving indoors is best. Even inside... lighting can kill by coming through the phone lines... plumbing and electric lines. Therefore do not use computers... telephones or other hand held appliances during a storm.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio... commercial radio or television for the latest on this developing severe weather event. Additional weather information... including related graphics can be found at www.Weather.Gov/Tulsa.
