May 4, 2001


A big rainy squall line quickly developed this afternoon over southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. Although wind shear was very favorable for rotating thunderstorms, the atmosphere was very moist at all levels of the atmosphere and there was widespread low clouds and low visibility. I generally do not like to chase storms I can't see, and the potential for heavy rain was another factor that caused me to decide to stay off the road this evening.

Turns out I ended up seeing quite a storm just by staying home. At 8pm the squall line moved overhead with blinding rains and winds to 40-45 mph. There was very little in the way of lightning and no hail. Tornado sirens were sounded based on radar-indicated circulation moving into Cleveland County from McClain County although that circulation was more of a threat to Moore than it was to Norman. Another circulation which developed on the comma head of the squall line earlier dropped a fairly large tornado just north of Amber - which was shown during KWTV-9's live severe weather coverage.

Following are some pictures taken that evening as the storm moved overhead.


Back to Chase Summaries

Back to Jeff's Virtual Cyclone Cellar