Summary

An unseasonably warm and moist airmass was in place across the region ahead of a powerful upper wave moving out of the 4 corners region of the western U.S. This led to the development of numerous severe thunderstorms across Oklahoma and Texas during the afternoon and evening of October 10, 2021. Multiple tornadoes were reported, along with hail larger than baseballs that impacted Norman, OK for the second time in six months, leading to millions of dollars in damages once again to homes, cars, and businesses. In Oklahoma, 11 tornadoes occurred in the NWS Norman forecast area while 7 more tornadoes occurred in the NWS Tulsa forecast area.

Event Tornadoes

Summaries of some of the tornadoes occurring in the NWS Norman forecast area follow.

A number of storm chasers observed a brief tornado approximately 4 miles south-southwest of Cooperton in Kiowa County. No damage was reported and the location was estimated for the first tornado in the NWS Norman forecast area.

The second tornado was initially observed by storm chasers including an off-duty meteorologist from the Storm Prediction Center and was visible for a couple of minutes before becoming wrapped in rain. The rain-wrapped tornado likely continued generally east-southeast and destroyed a trailer and damaged trees at the Saddle Mountain cemetery.

Numerous storm chasers observed the third tornado that developed about 9 miles west of Boone near the Kiowa-Caddo County line. The tornado moved northeast crossing State Highways 58 and 19 causing significant roof damage to a home and breaking power poles. Although this tornado became wrapped in rain and was generally not visible after crossing the highway, additional tree damage was reported east of the highway, and it is believed to have continued northeast approximately three miles

Storm chasers initially observed the fourth tornado develop southwest of Anadarko and move east-northeast. Damage was reported to a hangar at the Anadarko airport just south of town. The most significant damage was about 5 miles east of Anadarko where a roof was removed from a home. Although the tornado itself passed just south of Anadarko, the storm produced widespread wind damage within the town of Anadarko.

While the fourth tornado was occurring just south of Anadarko, thunderstorm winds were also causing damage in Anadarko . The most concentrated area of damage was in the vicinity of Oklahoma Avenue, Broadway Avenue and Main Street near the railroad tracks, or just northeast of the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and OK State Highway 8. A few buildings were damaged including the loss of the brick facade of one building. Trees, power poles and fences were also damaged in the area.

Storm chasers observed the fifth tornado which initially developed in Caddo County approximately 3 miles southwest of Verden and moved east-northeast crossing into Grady County about 1.5 mile south of Verden and to a point approximately 1 mile south-southeast of Verden. The tornado path was estimated as no damage was reported along the tornado path. Despite no known damage from the tornado, the storm did produce wind damage in and north of the town of Verden. Strong thunderstorm winds produced damage in Verden including tree damage and the collapse of walls of an abandoned building on the north side of Verden.

A storm chaser observed the sixth tornado estimated to be approximately 3 miles north of Chickasha. No damage was reported in the immediate area of the tornado, although the storm was producing wind damage about three miles farther north.

The seventh tornado developed just southwest of NE 63rd Street and Dobbs Road to the north-northwest of Harrah. One mobile home sustained roof damage, otherwise the observed damage was generally confined to trees. The tornado crossed into Lincoln County at Britton Road (E 1000 Road). It continued to move northeast a short distance and produced tree damage.

The eighth tornado, which was produced by a QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) touched down just southwest of Warwick and moved north through the west edge of Warwick. A barn was destroyed along U.S. Route 66 near the beginning of the path, and trees were damaged along the path, including at Hurst Park in Warwick. The tornado was reported to have crossed the Turner Turnpike before dissipating.

The tornado developed approximately 1.5 miles south-southwest of Dale as indicated by a Tornado Debris Signature (TDS) in this location, although this area was not accessible to the storm damage survey team. The tornado moved north-northeast damaging trees and a service station canopy just north of U.S. Interstate Highway I-40. A barn west of Dale was also damaged.

The tenth tornado initially developed about 2 miles west-southwest of Johnson, likely in the North Canadian River valley as evidenced by the development of a Tornado Debris Signature (TDS) on radar. The tornado moved northeast producing mainly tree damage, including a tree damaging the roof of a house along Garretts Lake Road. Much of the path of this tornado was estimated being in inaccessible areas.

The eleventh tornado to occur in the NWS Norman forecast area developed west of Ada southwest of County Roads 1540 and 3530. The tornado produced damage to barns along County Road 3350 and then EF1 damage to metal buildings at a tractor dealer just before crossing OK State Highway 19. It continued to produce tree damage in areas northwest and north of Ada. A few homes received roof or garage door or patio damage east of U.S. Highway 377 between Ada and Byng, and in the southeast portion of Byng. The tornado dissipated just east of the city limits of Byng.

October 12-13, 2021 Tornado Path Map

October 10, 2021 Tornado Path Map - 5 unrated tornadoes are not placed on the map.

Storm Report and Warning Polygon Map

Local Storm Report Map and Warning Polygons for the October 10, 2021
Severe Weather Event in the NWS Norman Forecast Area

Fast Facts

Web Pages and Reports Related to the October 10, 2021 Severe Weather Event

• NWS Norman Severe Weather Reports from 7 am on CDT 10/10/2021 - 7 am CDT on 10/11/2021 via the ISU Iowa Environmental Mesonet website


• Storm Prediction Center Storm Reports for October 10, 2021


• SPC Severe Weather Event Review for October 10, 2021


• WPC Daily Weather Map for October 10, 2021
• WPC Daily Weather Map for October 11, 2021

Tornado Data

• 2021 Oklahoma Tornadoes


• Caddo County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)
• Grady County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)
• Kiowa County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)
• Lincoln County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)
• Oklahoma County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)
• Pontotoc County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)
• Pottawatomie County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)

Tornado Data

Storm Data

Preliminary Storm Reports on October 10, 2021 Compiled by the Storm Prediction Center

Preliminary Storm Reports for 10/10/2021 Compiled by the Storm Prediction Center

Preliminary Storm Reports for October 10, 2021 by NWS Norman

Radar Imagery

Regional Radar Reflectivity Loop from 2:00 pm CDT on October 10, 2021 to 1:00 am CDT on October 11, 2021

Regional Radar Reflectivity Loop with Watch and Warning Polygons from 2:00 pm CDT on October 10, 2021
to 1:00 am CDT on October 11, 2021 Created Via the ISU Iowa Environmental Mesonet website

Storm Multimedia

Weather Briefings

Severe Weather Update - 12:30 pm CDT, October 8, 2021

Severe Weather Update - 5:30 pm CDT, October 9, 2021