Lawton, OK – Severe thunderstorms developing across the southern Plains could bring damaging winds, large hail and a brief tornado risk to parts of southwest and western Oklahoma Tuesday evening as storms track northeast from the Texas Panhandle.
According to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 11 p.m. for portions of southwest and western Oklahoma as well as the southeastern Texas Panhandle. Forecasters say storms already forming near Childress and the Rolling Plains will likely move into Oklahoma during the evening hours.
Communities including Lawton, Altus, Chickasha, Weatherford, Elk City and Hobart sit within the watch area. Wind gusts up to 70 mph and scattered hail up to ping-pong-ball size are possible as storms strengthen along the Red River region. A couple of tornadoes cannot be ruled out with the strongest cells.
Drivers along Interstate 44 near Lawton and U.S. Highway 62 between Altus and Chickasha may encounter sudden heavy rain, strong crosswinds and dangerous lightning. Residents are urged to secure outdoor objects and move vehicles into garages where possible to reduce hail damage.
Officials recommend keeping weather alerts enabled on phones and monitoring NOAA Weather Radio as storms approach. Additional warnings could be issued quickly if rotating storms develop across southwest Oklahoma.
