Severe weather hits Osage County and surrounding areas
In the early hours of Sunday, May 25, severe thunderstorms surged across northeastern Oklahoma, with Osage County becoming the initial hotspot. A severe thunderstorm watch remains active for the northern Tulsa metro, as intense cells continue to develop.
By 4:40 a.m., warnings were issued for multiple counties. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Osage County until 5:00 a.m., alongside Cherokee, Muskogee, and Wagoner Counties, which face the same alert until 5:00 a.m. as well. Earlier, around 3:50 a.m., Creek, Okmulgee, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties were under threat until 4:15 a.m., while Kay County had its warning until 4:30 a.m.
Flash flood concerns are now also intensifying, with a Flash Flood Warning issued for Osage and Pawnee Counties, extending until 7:15 a.m. Sunday. The potential for localized flooding is growing as storms continue to dump heavy rainfall over saturated ground.
Active lightning and hail threats intensify
Overnight storm activity was caught by News On 6 Stormtracker Alan Hancock, who recorded frequent lightning in Osage County. He signaled increasing winds and hail, especially near Pawhuska, where meteorologist Reeves advised residents to remain extremely vigilant due to the threat of large hailstones and gusty winds.
Storm tracker Bob Rohloff, reporting from I-35 near Billings, noted rapid wind direction changes, a classic indication of dynamic storm behavior that often accompanies intensifying cells.
John Durkee, another tracker, observed persistent lightning and rain near Sperry, with hail measured between quarter and half-dollar size currently falling just southwest of Marland.
Low tornado risk, but the storm threat remains high
Despite the intense electrical activity, heavy rainfall, and hail, the tornado risk remains very low overnight. However, meteorologists emphasize the need for continued caution, especially through the early morning hours, as unstable air masses remain in place across the Tulsa metro.
Conditions for Sunday morning will continue to evolve, and News On 6 will be cutting in live on air to provide real-time updates as the storm system progresses eastward.
Stay weather aware, especially with Memorial Day weekend plans underway across Green Country.
