‘Nightmare scenario’: Forecasters warn of violent tornadoes and thunderstorms
Weather forecasters say that drivers passing through Oklahoma and Texas could be confronted with dangerous tornadoes and thunderstorms later today.
On Monday, May 20, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued a warning for a potentially life threatening outbreak of ‘violent’ tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the southern Plains later today and tonight.
An extremely rare “particularly dangerous situation tornado watch” will be issued by @NWSSPC early this afternoon for much of #Oklahoma and far NW #Texas. It is time to begin continuous monitoring of the weather. #Okwx #TXwx #okc pic.twitter.com/xAgsEQzzHm
— Mike Smith (@USWeatherExpert) May 20, 2019
The most severe activity will be be centered around the state of Oklahoma as well as Northwest Texas and eastern Texas Panhandle. The weather center also warned that Kansas and Arkansas could see isolated but still dangerous tornadoes or thunderstorms.
The weather service warns that the storm system could bring “numerous tornadoes, several intense and long track, widespread damaging winds, some hurricane force, and widespread large hail, some baseball size.”
Weather expert Mike Smith called the storm system “the nightmare scenario.”
I’d certainly label this “the nightmare scenario.” pic.twitter.com/Ut4zzP5KPx
— Mike Smith (@USWeatherExpert) May 20, 2019
Forecaster Roger Edwards warned that the storm system had the potential to claim many lives.
Leaving shift this morning, scientific prediction done, a sobering, brutally honest realization hits: even if outlooks, watches & warnings are great, that doesn’t stop the #tornado swarm & destruction. This is the rare kind of event that may take many lives. Pray I’m wrong.
— Roger Edwards (@SkyPixWeather) May 20, 2019