Live Updates: Severe Threat Looms, Plains Faces ‘High’ Risk

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A rare “high risk” has been issued as portions of the Plains face a dangerous severe weather outbreak that could produce strong, long-track tornadoes alongside giant hail and damaging wind gusts. The threat lasts throughout the day and into the overnight hours. As the situation progresses, check back here for the live updates.

(1:30 p.m. ET) Some University of Oklahoma Students May Be On Campus For Exams This Evening

Today is the first day of standard finals week for many University of Oklahoma students. According to the university’s calendar, some students may be taking exams as late as 6:30 p.m. local time — after severe thunderstorms are likely to have kicked off in the area. According to university policy, administrators may take action in advance of a tornado warning if the National Weather Service identifies a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” (PDS).

(1:00 p.m. ET) First Tornado Watch Issued

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch from central Nebraska into north-central Kansas until 7 p.m. CDT. Additional watches will likely be issued through this afternoon and evening.

(12:15 p.m. ET) School Districts Cancel After-School Events, Meetings

After-school and evening events for both Oklahoma City Public Schools and Wichita, Kansas, Public Schools have been canceled. In Oklahoma City, a planned board meeting was also canceled but in Wichita the Board of Education meeting will continue as scheduled.

(12:00 p.m. ET) Will Evening Commuters Be Safe?

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman: We could see severe thunderstorms kick off as soon as early afternoon in parts of central Nebraska and western Kansas.

However, the peak time of concern for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in Oklahoma and from central into eastern Kansas will be from late afternoon through late tonight.

That could be as soon as the PM rush in cities such as Lincoln, Nebraska; Wichita, Kansas; and the Oklahoma City metro areas. However, the highest chance of severe weather in those locations appears to be this evening.

Before you start your drive home today, check for any active severe weather warnings in your area. If there are severe thunderstorms in your area, you may want to consider staying put if you have considerable shelter available at work.

(11:00 a.m. ET) Air Force Relocating Planes Due To Severe Weather Risk

Officials from McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita, Kansas, announced they are relocating any planes that aren’t undergoing maintenance due to the threat of severe weather facing the region. Planes were moved just three weeks earlier for the same reason.

(10:30 a.m. ET) NWS Official Shares ‘Key Messages’ About Oklahoma Storm Warnings

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, shared some key messages about today’s storm threat.

Rick Smith warned that “most people will not see a storm, but if you do, it will probably be very bad.”

The tornado potential will increase after dark and Smith warned drivers not to get in their vehicles this afternoon without checking the weather first.

For more on the dangers of nighttime tornadoes, click here.

(9:00 a.m. ET) Storm Prediction Center Issues Rare ‘High Risk’

The Storm Prediction Center issued a rare “high risk” forecast for parts of the Plains, including Oklahoma City. State emergency management officials urged residents to prepare now by discussing an emergency plan and being ready to act.

T​his type of serious outlook is only issued an average of about two to three times each year.