Colder Air Soon

What a horrible way to end the old year.  Thunderstorms were severe this morning across eastern OK and more so Western Arkansas. Tornado warnings were issued this morning for McIntosh and Pittsburg County at 4:31AM.  No touchdown or damage occurred in this area.  

This storm cycled up and down and another tornado warning was issued for Northern Adair, Southern Benton County AR, and Northwestern Washington County, AR, at 6AM.  This tornado may have impacted areas just northeast of Westville and then moved across the state line into Northwestern Washington County near Cincinnati.  As of this hour, three fatalities have been reported with significant damage near this small community. 

Debris from the Cincinnati area has been reportedly found in Bentonville, Ark, about 35 miles northeast of the tornado touchdown. 

Other areas of northwestern Arkansas may have experienced some damage and other reports may arrive later today. 

The threat of severe weather is over and now the colder air will be arriving later today.  Temperatures have dropped into the teens across the Oklahoma panhandle region and into the 30s and 40s across the northwestern third of the state.  The leading edge of the arctic boundary has slowed down as the parent upper level low translates into the central high plains where blizzard like conditions are underway.  As forcing arrives on the back side of the trough, the arctic express will slide rapidly southeastward approaching the Tulsa by the early afternoon.  

Temperatures will drop quickly and cold air will be here for the weekend.