Multiple Days of Severe Weather On Tap for Oklahoma

All eyes are on this weekend and early next week for severe weather in Oklahoma. The state is poised to have all the ingredients multiple days for big hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. Storms could start as early as Friday, May 16 and increase through Tuesday, May 20.

Upper-level storms will be moving in to Oklahoma this weekend. Storms are expected to be severe but could increase in severity on Sunday and Monday. Local meteorologists are urging Oklahomans to remain weather aware through the weekend and into early next week as storm timing, location and severity could change.

Storms will start out in southeast Oklahoma.

Southeast Oklahoma could see the first round of severe weather on Friday. This severe risk will be marginal but could still produce golf ball sized hail, damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and a very low tornado threat.

Saturday's storms are expected to be along and south of I-40.

Severe storms could start ramping up Saturday as the day is expected to be extremely humid and muggy. According to News 9 Meteorologist Lacey Swope, enough Gulf moisture will enter Oklahoma on Saturday to make an unstable atmosphere for severe storms. Those along and south of I-40 have the highest chance for severe storms Saturday. These storms could produce tennis ball sized hail, damaging wind gusts and a low tornado threat.

Storms expected to be more widespread Sunday and Monday.

Sunday and Monday will be the days to be alert for severe weather. On Sunday, dew points are expected to be in the 70s by the afternoon, which means storms could produce rapidly. Sunday will also see an increase in the jet stream energy and wind shear, which could lead to more numerous and severe storms. Sunday's storms could produce very large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. Similar storms are expected Monday as well.

Storm planning begins now.

Oklahoma residents don't want to wait till the storms are here to begin preparing. Oklahomans should start prepping themselves and their family now for severe weather. Check out the graphic below from the National Weather Service in Norman for checklist timeline on what to do before severe weather strikes.