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National Weather Service Issues Another Tornado Watch For Sunday Afternoon, Evening

The National Weather Service has issued another Tornado Watchfor Sunday afternoon and evening for central and eastern Oklahoma on what's expected to be the last day of this complex system that's brought more than a foot of rain to parts of Oklahoma.

Meteorologists say the tornado threat is low, and the main concerns are large hail and more heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding. NWS forecaster Marc Austin said the tornado potential Sunday is lower than it has been over the last few days.The tornado watch could be scaled back as the cold front moves through the area.

"We don't think we're going to get quite enough instability to really favor tornadoes today, Wind shear is not that favorable either," Austin said. "But if we were to get a very brief tornado it probably would occur across portions of south central and southeastern Oklahoma."

Early Sunday afternoon storms that developed over north central Oklahoma showed signs of severe activity with frequent lightning and small hail. More flash flood warnings could be issued through Sunday evening.

"With these storms coming out of northern Texas and moving into eastern Oklahoma, because they're going to be training over the same areas, and the ground is already very saturated, we do have an enhanced risk of flash flooding across south central and southeastern Oklahoma," Austin said. "That's not to say we might not see some flooding elsewhere. We do have have heavy rain in other areas, and the ground is virtually saturated everywhere. So anywhere that gets heavy rain is probably going to have a flash flood threat."

One person died and dozens were injured due to tornadoes and flash flooding Wednesday, the first day of this multi-day severe weather episode.

Storms in north central Texas killed on person and left others missing as tornadoes touched down near the Oklahoma border Saturday afternoon.

Austin said the newt few days could provide relief from severe weather, but strong thunderstorms could return to the forecast by mid-week.

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Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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