Oklahoma – Quiet skies early won’t last long, as conditions rapidly shift toward severe weather across eastern Oklahoma with storms expected to intensify by late afternoon and continue overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, storms are expected to develop after the late afternoon hours and continue into the overnight period, with the primary window beginning around 5 p.m. and lasting past midnight. A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) is in place, with threats including damaging wind gusts near 70 mph, large hail potentially reaching golf ball to baseball size, and isolated tornadoes.
Cities including Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and Bartlesville sit within the higher-risk zone. Major routes like I-44, U.S. 75, and the Broken Arrow Expressway could see sudden slowdowns as storms bring heavy rain and sharply reduced visibility.
This is not a one-day event. Another round of storms is expected Wednesday afternoon into the overnight hours, with similar threats and the potential for stronger, more organized severe weather. The repeated activity increases the risk for localized flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
Residents should prepare now. Secure outdoor items, review shelter plans, and ensure multiple ways to receive warnings, especially overnight when storms are harder to monitor.
Storms may develop quickly and intensify within minutes. Additional watches and warnings are likely as this active pattern unfolds across eastern Oklahoma.
