Understanding The Hatched Tornado Risk In Western Oklahoma

Oklahoma has already made history with this week's five-day severe weather stretch, and the biggest events have yet to take place. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare hatched tornado risk for western Oklahoma on Thursday, March 5.

On Wednesday, the Storm Prediction Center issued a hatched two percent and five percent tornado risk for Thursday. Local meteorologists and storm chasers immediately took to social media to comment on the rarity of this issuing from the Storm Prediction Center and what it means for the tornado potential Thursday.

Hatched area for tornadoes means a higher potential for significant tornadoes.

Oklahoma residents are used to seeing hatched areas for hail, which means those areas in the hatched regions will see larger hail. However, hatched areas for tornadoes is a rare calling from the Storm Prediction Center. According to Fox Weather, a hatched area for tornadoes means that tornadoes of EF2 rating or higher are possible.

Thursday's hatched tornado area encompasses western Oklahoma.

Meteorologists have already been sounding the alarms for EF2 tornado potential on Friday, March 6. But after the Storm Prediction Center issued the tornado hatched area for Thursday, meteorologists are strongly encouraging residents to make their storm preparations as soon as possible.

Thursday's tornado hatched area is mostly over those west of I-35. The tornado hatched area stretches from Ponca City and all the way down to Altus. KOCO Meteorologist Jonathan Conder is expecting storms to ramp up around 6 p.m. Thursday and continue through 3 a.m. Friday.

However, exact timing and location will be contingent on storm development Thursday, so Oklahoma residents, especially in the tornado hatched area, are encouraged to remain weather aware and have multiple ways to receive alerts, especially at night.

Things You'll Need in Your Oklahoma Tornado Prep Kit

Even though the odds of your life being affected by a tornado are extremely thin, there's no harm in being prepared with basic necessities. Even if the storm misses your home you could still find yourself without power or water for days to weeks. Here's a quick rundown on the basics every home should have for tornado season in Oklahoma.

Gallery Credit: Kelso