Stay Weather Aware

When springtime comes, long-time Oklahomans know to stay weather aware. However, Oklahoma City’s growth attracts people from all around the country who might not know how quickly the weather can turn dangerous, especially here in the southern plains.

It becomes a mission in life for local meteorologists, like KWTV’s chief meteorologist David Payne, to make sure viewers know what is possible and when the dangerous weather will arrive. “We’ve had tornadoes in every month of the year in Oklahoma. We just had one in Oklahoma City, a small one, just this past December. When conditions are right, you can get severe weather,” Payne says.

Typically, Oklahoma is known for its tornadoes. The greatest potential for tornadic activity happens in the late spring into the early summer. “We average about 55 tornadoes a year in Oklahoma,” says Payne, “but we have 20 of those in the month of May.”

As storms sweep through the southern plains, it becomes increasingly important to stay on top of weather developments. “Just like anything, it is all about being prepared,” adds Payne

Payne suggests downloading smartphone weather apps, like the News 9 Weather app, to stay informed of changes to the weather. “Start off with the basics. Everybody today has a phone, whether it’s an Android or whether it’s an iPhone. I think we have a really good News 9 Weather app you can download. It’ll give you any of the latest watches, any of the latest warnings.”

As the trees and flowers begin to bloom, it is a good time to consider a plan of action in case severe weather strikes. Payne says that plan needs to extend from the home to the workplace. “They need to have a plan in place well before we get into May. Start talking about it now. It is never too early. We’re going to wake up, and it’ll be April or May here shortly and we’ll be talking about severe weather,” he says.

While having a cellar or safe room is nice, many homes in the Oklahoma City area do not have one. The important thing to remember is to always get to the safest place possible. “Things have not changed as far as what we tell people,” says Payne. “The center part of the house, the lowest level if you live in an apartment upstairs. You need to get to the lowest level; you have to get off that second floor.”

Payne also adds that getting to know your neighbors is a good idea. “If you don’t have a storm shelter but your neighbor does, get to know that neighbor. If there is a tornado and they’re home or not home, you still have access to their storm shelter.”

Payne notes that Oklahoma school districts are well aware of the dangers presented by severe weather. It was less than two years ago that a killer tornado plowed through two Moore school buildings, so the memories of the destruction and chaos are still raw. Several groups and school districts have worked to help build shelters and safe rooms in schools in the wake of those May 2013 storms.

In the meantime, experts are developing ways to help enhance advance warnings. As a result of Oklahoma’s quickly changing weather, many technological advances are being made at the University of Oklahoma and the National Weather Service to help keep people safe. “It just keeps changing, and it just keeps getting better and better, and more accurate. It is amazing what’s going on out there right now,” says Payne.

Additionally, Payne notes that not all severe weather involves tornadoes. “You’re more apt, by far, every year to have a damaging wind event at your house and a damaging hail event where you’re going to get at least a quarter, softball size hail and larger.”

Overall, it is simply good advice to stay aware of Oklahoma’s weather. Having a plan and being prepared can help save lives. The good news is that many people in the Sooner State won’t cross paths with a killer tornado. “Odds are you could live here, live your entire life here and never even see a tornado when you talk about the state as a whole,” says Payne. “Most people who live in Oklahoma City, even after all the severe weather we’ve had the last fifteen years, most people haven’t seen a tornado.”