URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 226
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
435 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Tornado Watch for portions of
Western Oklahoma
Far Northwest Texas
* Effective this Monday afternoon from 435 PM until Midnight CDT.
* Primary threats include...
A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75
mph possible
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
inches in diameter possible
SUMMARY...Thunderstorm development is ongoing along the dryline in
western OK. The very unstable and moderately sheared environment
could support a few supercells if the warm and dry low to mid levels
can be overcome. All hazards including very large hail and tornadoes
are possible with any mature storms. Low-level shear will strengthen
this evening as the low-level jet increases, and any storm that
persists into the evening could encounter an environment supportive
of strong tornadoes.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles
east and west of a line from 20 miles northwest of Alva OK to 40
miles southwest of Wichita Falls TX. For a complete depiction of the
watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.
&&
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 220...WW 221...WW
222...WW 223...WW 224...WW 225...
AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 24020.
...Mosier
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