The Historic 2013 Oklahoma Tornadoes: Highlights and Success Stories from WFO Norman

Even by Oklahoma standards, the period from May 18 through May 31st was unusually busy for the staff at NWS WFO Norman, Oklahoma. Faced with repeated bouts of high-end severe weather – including an EF4 tornado in the OKC metro on May 19th, a deadly EF5 tornado on May 20th and the historic El Reno tornado on May 31st – forecasters drew upon relationships, plans and ideas that had been developed for days just like these. This presentation will highlight some of the pivotal decision points on each of those fateful days, discuss the key relationships between the WFO and decision makers in the impacted communities and review some of the successes from the events.