Ticker for May 12, 2016

                
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May 12, 2016       May 12, 2016       May 12, 2016       May 12, 2016


Oblivious




Did you know it rained last night? I didn't. I guess I am oblivious, or
deleterious. Did you know it rained a LOT last night in Cookson over in east
central Oklahoma? Like 8.31 inches a lot? Me neither. Heck, I didn't even know it
rained in central Oklahoma.

Wait, what's my job again? Well, the Mesonet maps don't lie, and last night's
cold front did indeed generate showers ans storms that dumped a ton of rain from
central over to east central Oklahoma.



Unfortunately, those storms also generated severe winds and large hail.



Baseball size hail fell near Geronimo in Comanche County and the Walters Mesonet
site measured a 75 mph wind gust. The storm downed power lines and damaged the
roof of the elementary school in Geronimo, and a possible injury occurred with
a damaged mobile home. And obviously there was flash flooding in Cherokee
County near Cookson where water rescues were needed. SE Oklahoma was also hard
hit by wind damage with a barn blown into a house!! in Latimer County and
widespread power outages in Talihina.

Just when we thought we might get an extended break, here comes another cold
front and chance for showers and storms through the weekend and into early
next week. And this could really be a chance to get substantial rains across
most of Oklahoma.



Here's the take from the NWS offices:





Now maybe all of that rain, if it occurs as forecast, will finally rid our
state of that small sliver of drought across far western Oklahoma. There's just
a smidgen left, and one or two good rains should erase it once and for awhile
(not willing to say for good!).



I would say try and ignore the severe weather chances that will come along with
these storms, but maybe you had better not. Springtime rains in Oklahoma almost
always come with something foul, so stay weather aware.

Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org