Check out this video of an impressive multi-vortex tornado in Wakita, Oklahoma -- near Oklahoma City. What you're looking at is the rotating updraft (column of rapidly rising air) associated with a mesocyclone -- think of this as the precursor to a potential tornado. Not all mesocyclones produce tornadoes but all tornadoes are generated from mesocyclones (remember, a cyclone being a "spinning"/rotating segment of air). From this rotating updraft, several small funnel clouds can be seen that ultimately, according to reports, consolidate into a single, likely long-track tornado (or, at the very least, lend their spin -- or vorticity -- to a main funnel that becomes the long-tracked tornado). This is just one of the storms responsible for all of the devastation yesterday across central and eastern Oklahoma.. with at least 10 tornadoes responsible in part for 5 deaths and many more injured.
The same area is under just a slight risk for severe weather today (and tomorrow) compared to yesterday's high risk. While an outbreak of severe storms is unlikely, some isolated strong to severe storms are likely again the next couple of days in OK and KS as another strong area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere moves through the southwestern US.
Brian
