Tornado Storms in Oklahoma: An Overview of the Tornado Phenomenon in Oklahoma

Are tornadoes common in Oklahoma? Tornadoes are an annual weather phenomenon in this state. Thus, people in this region are accustomed to this weather phenomenon. Tornado storms in Oklahoma mostly occur from March to June. However, this hazard may affect this state year-round.

Several factors, including topographic and atmospheric conditions, can easily form tornadoes in Oklahoma. Fortunately, the state government has excellent strategies to reduce this disaster. Therefore, the impact of this weather phenomenon can be lowered.

The Overview of Tornado Storms in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a state located in the south-central part of the US. This region features diverse landscapes, ranging from vast plains to mountainous regions. Moreover, roughly 4.1 million people live in this region. Unfortunately, Oklahoma is prone to tornadoes.

1. Oklahoma’s Tornado Risk

On average, approximately 68 tornadoes hit Oklahoma annually. However, the risk of tornadoes in this state has increased in the last three years. Since 2023, the number of tornadoes hitting this region has increased significantly.

In 2023, over 74 tornadoes struck Oklahoma. A year later, this number escalated to 152. Moreover, in 2025, there were 106 tornadoes in Oklahoma. Those storms ranged from EF1 to EF5 tornadoes. 

The EF5 tornado occurred in 2025, about 12 years after the last EF5 tornado hit Oklahoma. In the past, EF5 tornadoes have hit Oklahoma several times and caused grave damage.

The Oklahoma storm season typically reaches its peak in May. Therefore, tornado risk is at its highest this month. Still, in the last three years, the number of Oklahoma tornadoes in April has been higher than that in May.

However, it does not mean that there is no tornado risk from July to February in Oklahoma. Local authorities have recorded tornadoes in late fall and winter. Thus, the tornado risk in Oklahoma presents all year round, but this risk is high from March to June.

2. Factors Causing the High Tornado Risk in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is highly prone to tornadoes because of the following factors.

• Topography: This state has an ideal topography for the formation of tornadoes. Its vast, flat, open plains allow the storms to maintain their structures and intensity. Thus, tornadoes can easily materialize in Oklahoma.

• Collision of Three Air Masses: Tornadoes develop when hot, cold, and moist air masses collide. In Oklahoma, these air masses meet. The hot air is from the Southwestern desert, the cold air from Canada, and the moist air blows from the Gulf of Mexico.

• Jet Stream’s Influence: Another factor causing tornado storms in Oklahoma is the influence of the jet stream. This high-altitude wind typically occurs over the Southern Plains from April to June. It allows wind shear to form and spin, developing into a tornado.

• The Dryline Effect: Oklahoma often experiences a dryline. It is a sharp boundary between dry air from the desert and moist air from the Gulf. When the dryline moves eastward, it can trigger the formation of storm tornadoes.

3. Oklahoma’s Tornado History

Tornadoes in Oklahoma recently hit Mayes County, McIntosh County, and Ottawa County. However, they are not destructive because they are only EF0 and EF1 tornadoes. In the past, big  and destructive tornadoes have hit Oklahoma.

• Moore Tornado (May 20, 2013): The Moore Tornado has an intensity of EF4 to EF5. This hazard affected two counties in Oklahoma, including the city of Moore. Moreover, the tornado killed 24 people and injured 200 others.

• El Reno Tornado (May 31, 2013): Not long after the Moore Tornado, the El Reno Tornado hit El Reno in central Oklahoma and other regions in Canadian County. Authorities reported 8 fatalities and 151 injuries after this EF3 storm.

• Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado (May 3, 1999): This destructive EF5 tornado affected large areas in Oklahoma and damaged many buildings. Moreover, at least 31 people died, and over 580 others were injured in this disaster.

• Woodward Tornado (April 9, 1947): It was one of the most destructive tornadoes in the US. The Woodward tornado affected three states, including Oklahoma. This hazard resulted in 169 fatalities and roughly 980 injuries.

  
  

Oklahoma’s Tornado Warning System

Oklahoma’s authorities adopt a multi-layered warning system to alert residents on the incoming tornadoes and storms. Thus, authorities use several channels to send tornado alerts. One of these communication channels is the wireless method. 

This method allows authorities to broadcast tornado alerts to all cell phone users in Oklahoma’s tornado-affected areas. This method is resilient because it can disseminate alerts quickly to numerous people. Moreover, wireless broadcast communication will not suffer from network congestion.

Tornado storms in Oklahoma are a common occurrence. Thus, Oklahoma authorities employ a multi-channel tornado warning system. One of these channels is wireless broadcast communication. Governments in storm‐prone areas can adopt a similar method if they purchase cell broadcasters on smsbroadcaster.com.