The Lahoma, Oklahoma Storm of August 17, 1994

Event Summary  A major, unforecasted severe weather event occurred on August 17, 1994 in western Oklahoma. Severe property damage occurred in the town of Lahoma, Oklahoma and along U.S. Highway 81 through Kingfisher and Canadian counties.

Objectives  To examine and better understand the atmospheric response to almost no large-scale forcing in an unstable environment. To examine and better understand how mesoscale-forcing focused the atmospheric response that resulted -- in spite of the fact that a quiet afternoon was expected.

Vocabulary  Convective Outlook   Hail Spike   Mesohigh   Outflow Boundary   Supercell   Thin line

Exercise  Updated Version: Event Exercise Event Wrap-up Reference Material  General Radar Interpretation Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Map of Event Area

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.