30 July 2003

A myriad of outflow boundaries, presence of a weak synoptic front and an unstable air mass aided in scattered thunderstorms across western, central and southern OK during the early morning. Cloud-ground lightning was wicked and several power flashes occurred in eastern and southern Norman between 1-130 am. All seemed to be quiet from then on. However, around 5-6am, the leading edge of a developing area of thunderstorms produced a cold pool with very strong winds arriving in northwest Norman around 602 am. KJPR recorded a 67 mph wind gust. KOUN mesonet site, located less than a mile to the east of KJPR recorded a 79 mph wind gust. Along with the strong winds, hail from dime to golf ball sized and torrential rains accompanied the storms. There was considerable tree and fence damage reported, with a nearly mile long streatch of power poles knocked over along 48th street NW from Tecumseh to Indian Hills Road. Power was out in parts of Norman for over 6 hours. Three tractor trailers were overturned along I-35 and Tecumseh road and a few light airplanes flipped over at Norman Westheimer field. Probably what was more impressive with this storm was that for 30 minutes, wind gusts exceeded 60 mph with sustained winds over 50 mph creating a hair-raising, hurricane-like experience.

 Here are some manual observations taken during the early morning at KJPR (obs later in the morning were not possible given loss of electricity):

 Weather observations

1200 AM THUNDERSTORM RMK: TB55 S-SW CONS LTGICCG STNRY

1253 AM THUNDERSTORM RMK: T S-SW FQT LTGICCG MOVG SLOLY E TCU OVHD

113 AM Thunderstorm RMK: T E-SE-SW CONS LTGICCCCG MOVG E TCU OVHD POWER FLASHES DSNT S DUE TO CGS

120 AM Thunderstorm RMK: T E-SE-SW CONS LTGICCCCG MOVG E WSHFT 20 OUTFLOW TCU OVHD POWER FLASHES DSNT S DUE TO CGS

139 AM Thunderstorm WITH MDT RAIN RMK: T E-SE-S CONS LTGICCCCG MOVG E WSHFT 20 OUTFLOW TCU OVHD RB39 POWER FLASHES DSNT SE DUE TO CGS

151 AM Thunderstorm WITH LIGHT RAIN RMK: T E-OVHD-S FQT LTGICCCCGCA MOVG SE WSHFT 20 OUTFLOW RB39