By KSWO and David Folkert
Lawton, Oklahoma - Tornadoes, (click here) large hail, and strong winds were all reported in a storm that passed through Texoma Friday afternoon.
At 3:30 p.m., storm spotters reported a tornado on the ground at the intersection of Highway 277 and Highway 281. A large and extremely dangerous tornado was reported near Agawam, OK moving toward Ninnekah, OK, at 4:15 p.m.
Massive hail, up to four inches in diameter, was reported near Lake Lawtonka. Other hail, pea to pear sized, was reported in Indiahoma, Cache, Elgin, Meers and Lawton.
Winds of up to 115 mph were reported and at least one mobile home and semi-truck near the Elgin and Fletcher area were blown over. Families in Fletcher reported damage from the storm.
Near Oklahoma City, there is a rain-wrapped tornado. The University of Oklahoma issued a warning for students and faculty to take shelter.
Northbound I-35 was shut down at mile marker 98 in Purcell, OK and southbound I-35 was shut down in Norman at Tecumseh Road as the storm approached that area. Highway 76 between Blanchard and Lindsey was also shut down....
There is a developing vortex from border to border in the USA. North to south and west to east.
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April 30, 2016
2030.17a
The wind map (click here) below is very telling. I hope I can make it clear what I see. It is a very abstract map.
The center of the country is covered by the developing vortex. I think that is fairly obvious. The link to the map is posted in the previous paragraph. This continental system has been consolidating for the past 12 hours. But, it was pulling water vapor from the equator for the past day. Kindly note the system is pulling water vapor directly south of the USA. Why would that happen? It is physics. The greatest density of greenhouse gas heat is over the USA. That is why.
But, the west and east seems different from the primary vortex. But, if one takes a closer look the air masses are turning into the central circulation of the vortex. The last time I saw this happen we had twin tornadoes. The worst tornadoes usually hit at night when there this water vapor condensing with cooler air and the air turbulence increases. I hope that doesn't happen tonight, but, I would be remiss to not point it out.
Thank you.
