Oklahoma Climatological Survey

The Oklahoma Storms of April 2, 1994
   

Event Summary 

On April 2, 1994, severe storms began to form along a dryline in Central Oklahoma. These storms produced two tornadoes, one near Ada and the other near Oilton. Along with the tornadoes, baseball size hail was reported. Although this particular case was not a not large severe weather outbreak, it provides a classic setup for severe weather. This case is also one of the first severe weather outbreaks observed by the Oklahoma Mesonet.

Objectives 
  • To understand the key ingredients that produce severe weather.
  • To properly recognize a dryline and cold front from surface and radar data.
  • To understand the relationship between surface temperatures and dewpoints and where storms initiate.
Vocabulary 
Clear Air Mode 
Cold Front 
Dew Point 
Dryline 
Equivalent Potential Temperature
Left Mover 
Moisture Tongue
Precipitation Mode 
Propagation
Right Mover 
Thermal Ridge
Thin Line 
Triple Point 
Exercise 
Updated Version : Event Exercise
Self Study Version: Event Exercise

Archived Data 

 

Reference Material 
Thunderstorms & Tornadoes
Weather Fronts
Map of Oklahoma Counties

 
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