Storm near Norman
Sunday, February 26, 2023
- Largest hail
- 1.00 inquarter
- Strongest wind
- 70 mphgust
- Tornadoes
- 2reported
- Reports
- 5within 10 mi
5 reports
- 1.00 in hail (quarter)9.1 mi WNW of central NormanNewcastle · Mcclain County · Fire Department/Rescue
- Tornado (EF2)9.0 mi SW of central Norman1.9 mi NE of Cole · Mcclain County · NWS Storm Survey
This tornado developed just west of Pennsylvania Avenue about 1/2 mile south of 290th Street where it took the roof off an outbuilding. The tornado moved east-northeast damaging a mobile home along 290th Street, and then snapped a couple of power poles as moved into the city limits of Goldsby just east of SW 24th Avenue. The tornado caused roof and fence damage in a neighborhood near NW 12th Avenue and Center Road in Goldsby before moving across the Goldsby airport damaging hangars. The tornado then crossed the Canadian River into Cleveland County.
- Tornado (EF2)4.0 mi S of central Norman4.0 mi SSW of Norman · Cleveland County · NWS Storm Survey
The tornado that moved through Goldsby in McClain County crossed the Canadian River and into Cleveland County moving swiftly through southern and eastern portions of Norman. The tornado passed less than one mile southeast of the National Weather Center, and damaged numerous homes in neighborhoods near 12th Avenue SE and Cedar Lane Road, and northeast of 24th Avenue SE and Imhoff Road as well as damaging apartments and businesses near the intersection of State Highway 9 and US Highway 77. EF2 damage was noted at several apartment buildings, homes and businesses in these areas. Moving northeast, the tornado moved into less areas with less density of homes and people, but still affected neighborhoods near 36th Avenue SE and Lindsay Street, 48th Avenue SE and Lindsey, and 60th Avenue SE and Alameda Street. The tornado continued northeast damaging trees, power lines and a few homes before dissipating in far southeast Oklahoma City near SE 125th Street and Dobbs Road. The tornado moved at over 60 mph.
- 1.00 in hail (quarter)3.0 mi N of central Norman3.0 mi N of Norman · Cleveland County · Public
- 70 mph gust (estimated)3.6 mi SSE of central Norman3.1 mi NW of Noble · Cleveland County · NWS Employee
A 30-foot-tall tree, over 12-inches in diameter, was uprooted. Minor damage was also observed to the roof of the nearby house and backyard fence.
Also hit that day: Oklahoma City, OK, Moore, OK
What the National Weather Service wrote
A powerful storm system, with highly anomalous magnitudes of wind shear and moisture for late February, impacted the forecast area on the evening of the 26th. A broken line of severe thunderstorms developed across the eastern Texas Panhandle/far western Oklahoma and quickly swept through much of the forecast area. Widespread wind damage, including gusts near 90 mph, along with a record number of tornadoes (13) for February occurred. Several reports of large hail were also received. Behind the line of thunderstorms, a tight pressure gradient and strong westerly low-level jet allowed widespread 50-60 mph winds gusts to continue through the late evening hours.