![]() These factors, along with CAPE values in excess of 4000 J/kg and an embedded speed maxima rotating around the southern periphery of the low, made the threat of significant severe thunderstorms increasingly likely. Deep layer wind shear speeds of 45–55 kn (52–63 mph) would enhance storm organization and intensity. ĭewpoint values had ranged from the upper 60s ° F (20 ° C) to the lower 70s ☏ (20–22 ☌), with temperatures in the low to mid-80s ☏ (27–30 ☌), and CAPE (a meteorological concept used to predict the force and power of potential storms and tornadoes) predicting referring to values ranging from 3500 to 5000 J/kg. ![]() With a broad influence of moderately strong cyclonic flow aloft, the air mass was expected to become unstable across much of the southern Great Plains, through the Upper Midwest and Mississippi Valley, by the afternoon. A moderately strong polar jet moved east-northeastward over the southern Rocky Mountains to the southern Great Plains. On May 31, 2013, a prominent mid-to-upper level trough and closed mid-level low pressure area moved east-northeastward, with a lead upper low pivoting over the Dakotas and Upper Midwest region. Meteorological synopsis Satellite imagery of the storm system responsible for the May 26–31, 2013 tornado outbreak at 6:10 p.m. CDT By attempting to escape the storm by vehicle, in direct contrast to the recommended plan of action, residents put themselves at great risk from the storm had the tornado maintained itself and passed over the congested freeways, more than 500 lives could have been lost. The National Weather Service referred to the tornado as "the most dangerous tornado in storm observing history." Īlongside rush hour traffic, thousands of residents in Oklahoma City attempted to outrun the storm by taking to the roads in an attempt to drive out of the tornado's projected path. Due to the ferocity and sheer size, as well as its irregular movement and the deaths linked with this tornado, it has become one of the most studied and infamous tornadoes ever. Overall, the tornado was responsible for eight fatalities and 151 injuries. A Doppler on Wheels-based analysis of how the tornado impacted these teams revealed that they were hit by an intense internal sub-vortex. Other chasers, including Mike Bettes of The Weather Channel and Reed Timmer, were either injured or had their vehicles damaged. He snapped a picture of the tornado from his cellular phone before it struck him. Local resident Richard Henderson, who decided to follow the storm, lost his life in that same area. Paul Samaras and Young were ejected from their Chevrolet Cobalt by the storm's sub-vortex, while Tim was still buckled in the passenger's seat. 81, TWISTEX scientist and engineer Tim Samaras, along with his son Paul and research partner Carl Young, died in the tornado. Although the tornado remained over mostly open terrain, dozens of storm chasers unaware of its immense size and erratic movement were caught off-guard. The tornado killed four storm chasers (three professional and one amateur), the first known deaths in the history of storm chasing. Upon crossing Interstate 40, the tornado dissipated around 6:43 p.m. CDT (2343 UTC), after tracking for 16.2 miles (26.1 km), it avoided affecting the more densely populated areas near and within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Turning northeastward, the tornado soon weakened. 81, it had grown to a record-breaking width of 2.6 miles (4.2 km), beating the previous width record set in 2004. These are among the highest observed wind speeds on Earth, just slightly lower than the wind speeds of the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado. Remaining over mostly open terrain, the tornado did not impact many structures however, measurements from mobile weather radars revealed extreme winds up to 135.0 m/s (302 mph 486 km/h) within the vortex. Central Daylight Time (2303 UTC) about 8.3 miles (13.4 km) west-southwest of El Reno, rapidly growing in size and becoming more violent as it tracked through central portions of Canadian County. The tornado initially touched down at 6:03 p.m. This rain-wrapped, multiple-vortex tornado was the widest tornado ever recorded and was part of a larger weather system that produced dozens of tornadoes over the preceding days. Part of the tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013ĭuring the early evening of Friday, May 31, 2013, an extremely large and powerful tornado occurred over rural areas of Central Oklahoma. ![]() *Wind speeds up to ~135.0 m/s (302 mph 486 km/h) were measured via RaXPol mobile research radar (unofficial estimate) Ĭanadian County, Oklahoma especially areas to the south of El Reno.
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