The Southwest Oklahoma Heat Bursts of May 22-23, 1996

 

Event Summary  On the afternoon of May 22, 1996, thunderstorms formed in the southeast Texas Panhandle along the dryline. These storms intensified to severe limits as they propagated to the north and east into southwestern Oklahoma over the next several hours. As the thunderstoms dissipated, they created downdrafts of dry air which warmed as the air descended. These heatbursts produced hot temperatures well after sunset along with damaging winds.

Objectives  To recognize unusual patterns in Mesonet data associated with heat bursts.  To understand that significant wind damage can occur in regions not affected by commonly accepted forms of severe weather (e.g., severe thunderstorms and tornadoes).  To properly interpret contour and vector plots of Mesonet data and compare with other formats of Mesonet data like color-filled contours and meteograms.  To become familiar with a sounding.

Vocabulary  Dew Point  Diffluence  Divergence  Downdraft  Heat Burst  Mesonet  Mesoscale  Sounding  Severe Warning Criteria  Temperature

Exercise  Event Data  Exercise   Event Wrap-Up  Click on "Event Data" for a new window with the information needed for the exercise. Reference Material  Map of Oklahoma Counties What Causes Heatbursts from USA Today Oklahoma Network Captures Heatbursts from USA Today The 22-23 May 1996 Heatburst: A Severe Wind Event by P. Mackeen, D.L. Andra, Jr., and D.A. Morris (1998).

OK-FIRST Project, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, 100 East Boyd, Suite 1210, Norman, OK 73019 Copyright © 1996-2005 Oklahoma Climatological Survey. All Rights Reserved. Send comments or questions concerning OK-FIRST to okfirst@mesonet.org.