Information for the
May 8, 2003 Oklahoma City Area Tornadoes

Tornadoes devastated the Oklahoma City metro area on May 8, 2003, four years after the May 3, 1999 Tornado wreaked havoc in the nearly the same areas of Moore and south OKC. This marks the 108th and 109th times that the Oklahoma City area has been hit by a tornado since 1890. Damage assessment continues for some of the affected areas. More information will be added as it becomes available.

The following two radar images are from the Oklahoma City/Twin Lakes (KTLX) WSR-88D radar. The date/time for these images was at 5:25 pm CDT 5/8/2003, or at about the same time the Oklahoma City tornado was producing damage on Tinker Air Force Base and at the General Motors plant. Select either image to view a higher resolution image.
Oklahoma City/Twin Lakes (KTLX) Reflectivity at 525 pm CDT 5/8/2003	Oklahoma City/Twin Lakes (KTLX) Velocity at 525 pm CDT 5/8/2003
Path of the May 8, 2003 OKC Area Tornado compared to the May 3, 1999 F5 tornado
Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rick Smith gives a live weather briefing regarding the developing severe weather situation at 2:35 pm CDT, 5/8/2003. This was the first time a live weather briefing was broadcast via all ten of NWS Norman's weather radio transmitters. Behind Rick forecasters Kenneth James (left) and Bruce Thoren (right) are monitoring the severe weather using AWIPS workstations.	Visible Satellite Image at 525 pm CDT 5/8/2003