Oklahoma & Kansas Tornados
May 3-5, 1999

©1999 AP	©1999 CNN
Reflectivity (Recolored) At 3:03Z	Velocity At 3:03Z

Tornados hit OK and KS Monday night, specifically Wichita and Oklahoma City. At this time, best estimates from media outlets indicate 45 people were killed, over 700 injured, over 2000 houses/businesses destroyed. The National Weather Service's Initial Investigation points to F5 destruction, the highest scale for tornados. TWC also states that this is the worst tornado outbreak in OK history. NEW! The NWS's official investigation discussing the S. OK Tornados is in. Read it here! NEW! More links to NIDS/NEXRAD imagery added below.

Resources:

• CASI Member Justyn Jackson's Page for these storms
• Observations containing Tornado references from 5/3
• Observations containing Tornado references from 5/3 (Long IWIN Format)
• Severe Weather Reports 5/04/99
• Severe Weather Reports 5/04/99 12Z - 05/05/99 12Z
• Severe Weather Reports 5/05/99
• Selected Radar Imagery:
  • KOKC 2352Z 5/3/99: Base Reflectivity (64dbZ, Hook Echo)
  • KOKC 0003Z 5/4/99: Base Reflectivity (70dbZ, Hook Echo - This is the image at the top of this page, before recoloring and resizing).
  • KOKC0023Z5/4/99: Base Reflectivity (59dbZ, Hook Echo)
  • KOKC 2352Z 5/3/99: Base Ref. w/ Storm Table (4 MESO's, 1 TVS)
  • KOKC 0003Z 5/4/99: Base Ref. w/ Storm Table (4 MESO's, 3 TVS's)
  • KOKC 0023Z 5/4/99: Base Ref. w/ Storm Table (4 MESO's, 2 TVS's)
  • KOKC 2352Z 5/3/99: Storm-Rel. Velocity (Rotation Indicated)
  • KOKC 0003Z 5/4/99: Storm-Rel. Velocity (Rotation Indicated)
  • KOKC 0023Z 5/4/99: Storm-Rel. Velocity (Rotation Indicated)
  • KOKC 2352Z 5/3/99: Base Velocity (Rotation Indicated)
  • KOKC 0003Z 5/4/99: Base Velocity (Rotation Indicated)
  • KOKC 0023Z 5/4/99: Base Velocity (Rotation Indicated)
  • KOKC 0307Z 5/4/99: Echo Tops (Max 52,000 feet)
  • KOKC 0317Z 5/4/99: Vertically Integrated Liquid (Max 62)
  • Reflectivity Zoom(Hook Echo) (Via NIU)
  • Velocity Zoom(Rotation) (Via NIU)
  • Reflectivity Zoom(Hook Echo) (Via UNISYS)
  • Ultimate Collection of NIDS Imagery From This Storm! (Neat-o!)
  • National Radar Summary 01:45Z 5/4/99 (1 TVS)
  • Regional Radar Summary 01:45Z 5/4/99 (2 TVS's)
• Radar Animations:
  • Base Reflectivity KOKC - 2347Z 5/3/99 - 0023Z 5/4/99 (Hook Echos, Max 70dbZ)
  • Base Reflectivity KOKC - 0147Z - 0242Z 5/4/99 (Hook Echos, Max 65dbZ)
  • Base Reflectivity KOKC - 0222Z - 0332ZZ 5/4/99 (Hook Echos, Max 63dbZ)
  • Base Reflectivity KOKC - 0307Z - 0406Z 5/4/99 (Hook Echos, Max 63dbZ)
  • Extended Reflectivity Composite - OK Area - 8:00-10:30pm 5/3/99(Hook Echos, Max 63dbZ)
• CurrentAdvisories/Watches/Warnings/Other Severe Weather Info via CASI
• Archived Watches, Tornado Warnings, and Local Storm Reports via CASI
• Other Web Sites Regarding This Outbreak:
  • CNN Coverage - With Videos
  • Final Report - The Oklahoman
  • Tornado/Damage TV Photos
  • OK Tornado Photos via Cloud9
  • Satellite Zooms / Animations
  • HAMSNET Report
  • PSU Site - Photos, Meteorological/Radar Imagery
  • NEW! Doppler On Wheels Imagery that measured 318mph wind
  • NWS-Norman Oklahoma Report
  • FEMA Report
  • Tornado Photos
  • Tornado Photos
  • Tornado Photos
  • Chase Report & Damage Pictures
  • Charles Edwards Chase Report

The following CASI Members contributed to this report: Jesse Ferrell, Glen Briggs, Steve Minghini, Gene Gardner, Brian Pevear

© 1999 Central Atlantic Storm Investigators