This story is the lead in both the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle  this morning. It was written by the Star. I am quoted in the lead story in the  Kansas City Star   this morning which pertains to the  Star’s  position that global warming is causing the current spate of tornadoes throughout the Great Plains.  Unfortunately, this article is an example of why people distrust the media. The newspaper had determined what the article was going to say and then looked for scientists to fill in the blanks.  In fact, for the first time in my career, I was reluctant to speak to a reporter because I expected they would try to tie tornadoes to global warming very early in the conversation. I spoke with the  Star’s  Laura Bauer for 1-hour 15-minutes in two conversations Friday. Throughout, she kept attempting to twist my answers into something that would validate her pre-determined hypothesis that global warming is causing the current spa...

I try, every week, to lighten the mood with a Sunday Fun section. Given the seriousness of the weather problems in recent days, with more to come, I thought about omitting it this week. But, sometimes we need a lift. Here it is. She is quite the dancer! It is very cool segment. The other comment I would make is that she is extremely limber! Enjoy.

The NWS SPC has come to the same conclusion I have (scroll down) that there is a high risk of tornadoes in western Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle with the elevated risk farther south. The significant tornado risk is brown = 5%. Yellow is a 10% (elevated) risk and red is a 15% (high on my scale) risk of tornadoes. The hatching means there is a good chance of strong tornadoes. I don't expect anything before about 2pm and perhaps an hour or two later. By that time, I strongly recommend you pay close attention to the weather. 

I'm sorry to report that tornadoes swept through the El Reno-Oklahoma City area late Saturday beginning about 10:20pm... with a second area of tornadoes or damaging winds from near Minco to Norman. There are reports of fatalities at this motel in El Reno. Via Twitter  Via Twitter I'll have more weather coverage later this morning but that is all for tonight.

Based on new data, I am getting increasingly concerned about the potential for tornadoes in western Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle Sunday afternoon and evening. I'll re-examine the situation and will write about it tomorrow morning.

Flooded Wheat Field Kansas State and Oklahoma State Universities cooperated to create this special report . I urge you to read it.

The brown area is the significant threshold. The yellow is an enhanced threat.  Here is the rainfall for the 24-hours ending at 7am. These maps average rainfall over 2.5 x 2.5 mile squares. There were some point amounts yesterday evening in excess of 7 inches.  And, here is the rainfall for the last 7 days.  There is a small area of more than 15" north of Tulsa. Here is a general summary of rivers in flood. Purple is major or record flooding. And, more rain is on the way. Here is the flash flood outlook for the next 24 hours.  MDT = moderate risk. SLGT = slight risk.