Tornadoes Are More Powerful Than We Realize

Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.

S​evere storms in the Plains could produce tornadoes, very large hail and damaging wind gusts Thursday afternoon and evening.

Happening Now

Severe thunderstorms are ongoing in the central United States right now.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Oklahoma and extreme northern Texas until 11 p.m. CDT. That watch includes Oklahoma City, Norman, Lawton and Wichita Falls.

T​hursday's Forecast

The greatest risk of severe storms is from western and central Kansas into central Oklahoma. Tornadoes and very large hail could accompany the more intense storms that form in this region. A few of these tornadoes in Oklahoma and extreme northern Texas could be strong.

Severe weather is also possible in a broader area that stretches from northern Texas to South Dakota. Damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado are possible threats.

F​riday's Forecast

Some additional severe weather is possible in the Plains on Friday afternoon and evening.

L​arge hail and damaging winds could accompany storms that form from central Oklahoma into west-central Texas. Parts of the mid-Missouri Valley could also see severe weather that produces hail, wind damage and an isolated tornado threat.

F​lash flooding will also be a growing concern later Friday and this weekend in Texas.

W​hen severe weather threatens, make sure you have multiple ways of receiving watches and warnings from the National Weather Service. These include local TV, radio, a smartphone and NOAA weather radio.

(​MORE: Your Phone Can Help Keep You Safe In Severe Weather)

K​now where to seek shelter in case a warning is issued. If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, you may need to leave it quickly and head to either a community storm shelter or a nearby substantial building.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.