EFU Tornado — Washita, Oklahoma

2024-11-18 · near Sentinel, Washita, Oklahoma

Event narrative

A Tornado Debris Signature (TDS) was observed developing in northwestern Kiowa County before moving north into Washita County. The presence of the TDS indicates that at least tree damage likely occurred despite the lack of any specific damage reports. The path is estimated, but the tornado likely moved about one-half mile north into Washita County before dissipating.

Wider weather episode

An intense (90-knot) mid-level jet streak lifted from the Texas Big Bend region into the Southern High Plains early on the 18th. An extensive quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) took shape across West Texas and moved into portions of western Oklahoma and western-north Texas during this time. With anomalously strong kinematics and marginally sufficient wind shear, a few portions of the line produced reports of thunderstorm wind damage and multiple brief/weak tornadoes. With time, the convective system gradually weakened into portions of central and eastern Oklahoma, producing only sporadic wind gusts/damage by daybreak.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.1170, -99.3020)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1222021. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.