Thunderstorms and Damaging Downbursts Expected Across Oklahoma Tuesday

Storms started firing up across Oklahoma on Tuesday afternoon before a cold front moves in. Storms started igniting before 3 p.m. Tuesday and are expected to continue through 8 p.m. The storms are expected to produce rain, lightning and small hail, but the biggest threat is downbursts and high winds.

On Tuesday, storms throughout Oklahoma are expected to be isolated strong to severe that could produce localized heavy rainfall. Damaging winds are the main hazard. The storms could produce localized wind events with maximum wind speeds from 50 to 75 miles per hour.

Another concern is downbursts as storms are expected to go up quickly and collapse rapidly. According to KFOR Chief Meteorologist Mike Morgan, there may be serval occurrences of widespread, localized downbursts and microbursts.

What is a downburst and a microburst?

A downburst is when sinking air within a thunderstorm produces damaging winds once it impacts with the ground, and a microburst is a smaller downburst that does the same amount of damage but within a smaller radius.

Multiple cold fronts will bring in cooler and wetter conditions to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is expected to receive multiple cold fronts over the next week that will bring in cooler and wetter temperatures. The NOAA expects Oklahoma to see below average temperatures from August 25-29.

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And through the end of August, Oklahoma could see anywhere from two to four inches of rain from now through August 30. According to KOCO Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane, the increased rain chances could also continue to drive Oklahoma's temperatures lower.

It looks like fall really is coming early to Oklahoma!