Is Tulsa Due For Large, Violent Tornado?

In a little more than 140 years, we have tracked a little less than 100 tornadoes that actually touched in Tulsa County. In fact, I went back through all the data and found out only two are classified as large, violent twisters.

The southern plains, including Oklahoma, is in the middle of Tornado Alley where warm, moist air clashes with cold fronts to form severe weather including tornadoes.  

Tulsa County has experienced 97 tornadoes since 1875 including several notable tornadoes in the past years, including Tulsa, Owasso, Sand Springs, and Broken Arrow.  

And while considerable damage occurred with these storms, these tornadoes were not large or violent tornadoes. Only two tornadoes in the metro region have ever reached EF-4 or higher: the Brookside Tornado in June of 1974 and the 1993 Catoosa Tornado.  

Ahead Of The Storm

Both caused death and injury along with millions of dollars in damage. 

So the question remains: When will the next violent tornado hit the metro? No one knows for sure. EF-4 and EF-5 tornadoes are very rare, accounting for only 1 percent of all tornadoes. But violent tornadoes are responsible about almost 40 percent of all tornado fatalities. 
 
While we can't exactly predict when the next violent tornado will hit the metro, it's happened in the past, and could do so in the future.  
As Always. remain aware of your weather surroundings, have a severe weather safety plan and be ready to roll to keep you and your family safe.