As spring approaches, Oklahoma faces its first severe weather threat of 2016.The National Weather Service says there's a slight risk of strong to severe storms Monday as an upper-level storm system affects the region.
Norman Forecast Office meteorologist Jonathan Kurtz says a dryline will develop over the Oklahoma panhandle and move east today, leading to a possibility of widely scattered thunderstorms. The best chance in central Oklahoma comes between 7 and 10 p.m., after the sun sets.
“The strongest storms will be capable of large, damaging hail up to two inches in diameter, damaging wind gusts, and locally heavy rainfall,” Kurtz said during a Monday morning briefing.
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There is also a low risk of tornadoes. A Red Flag Warning goes into effect Monday afternoon for far northwest Oklahoma due to dry and windy conditions that could lead to a critical wildfire danger.
The threat of severe storms should be gone by tomorrow, but Kurtz says significant precipitation could linger.
"Continued rain chances and periods of heavy rainfall across far southern into southeastern Oklahoma could increase the risk of minor flooding,” Kurtz said.
Two to 4 inches of rain could fall between now and the weekend.
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