### Severe Weather Strikes Oklahoma with Tornadoes, Hail, and Flooding

The state of Oklahoma is currently enduring a severe weather event, characterized by tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. The storm system started intensifying on Monday afternoon, prompting widespread weather warnings and advisories across the region.

A confirmed tornado made its way northeast over Lake Tenkiller towards Cookson around 3 p.m., with Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer indicating its trajectory included areas such as Keys and Tahlequah. Earlier, around 1 p.m., residents in the Talala region experienced conditions akin to a tornado, and News On 6 has crews on the ground collecting information.

Monday's severe weather is segmented into two dominant storm systems—one affecting the northern parts of the state and the other sweeping across the southern regions. Tornado warnings are in effect for Adair and Cherokee County until 3:45 p.m., while Ottawa County faces a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 3:30 p.m. Additionally, a Tornado Watch encompassing 24 counties, including Tulsa, Muskogee, and Washington, remains active until 6 p.m.

Several rounds of heavy rainfall have resulted in multi-inch totals across numerous areas, exacerbating the situation with flood warnings. These flood warnings persist this morning, with a broad portion of the region also under a Flood Watch until later today. Scattered storms are continuing their onslaught in eastern Oklahoma, bringing additional risks of gusty winds and hail.

The forecast indicates that a warm front, presently stationed in southern Oklahoma, will advance northwestward as an upper-level trough nears and air pressure starts to drop. A low-pressure system is expected to develop in the western parts of north Texas and move into central Oklahoma by midday. This will bring with it a dry line and Pacific cold front, escalating the chances of severe weather including potential tornadoes.

The weather outlook later today predicts more tornado watches for areas along and east of the I-44 corridor, extending into Arkansas. With highs reaching the lower 70s, severe storm threats will likely emerge by midday and persist into the evening. The low-pressure area is projected to shift northeastward this afternoon, creating the highest tornado risk near and south of the warm front.

As the severe weather system progresses, most of the storms are anticipated to exit the state by 8 to 9 p.m., although exact timings are subject to change. Following the storm's departure, Oklahoma can expect cooler, drier air. The strong upper-level jet stream is forecasted to clear out by early Tuesday, potentially leaving behind only a few isolated showers in the far southeastern part of the state.

Tuesday promises more temperate conditions with decreasing cloud cover, morning lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s, and afternoon highs in the lower to mid-60s. Light north winds will continue into early Wednesday, which will see morning lows in the mid-40s, and south winds returning in the afternoon with partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s.

Looking ahead, the weather remains unpredictable from Thursday through the weekend, with additional severe thunderstorm threats looming. The forecast will likely evolve as more data becomes available, ensuring Oklahomans stay on alert for any further developments.