Oklahoma and Southern Kansas Face Slight Risk of Severe Weather Friday May 22 as SPC Day 2 Outlook Also Flags Separate Marginal Risk Zone Over Kentucky and Tennessee
OKLAHOMA AND KANSAS — The Storm Prediction Center issued its Day 2 Categorical Outlook at 12:54 AM CDT on Thursday, May 21, 2026, placing portions of the southern Plains under a Slight Risk of severe weather valid from 1200Z Friday, May 22 through 1200Z Saturday, May 23. The outlook was issued by SPC forecaster Thornton out of Norman, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma and Southern Kansas Are the Primary Targets Friday
The Slight Risk zone is centered directly over Oklahoma and into portions of southern Kansas, making this the primary area of concern for Friday’s severe weather threat. The tight and defined nature of this zone signals that forecasters have strong confidence in where organized storm development is most likely to occur on Friday.
A Separate Marginal Risk Zone Pops Up Over Kentucky and Tennessee
One of the notable features of this outlook is the presence of two separate Marginal Risk zones. Beyond the broader area surrounding the Oklahoma Slight Risk core, a distinct and separate Marginal Risk zone sits over Kentucky and Tennessee, indicating that severe storm potential exists in this area completely independent of the southern Plains threat.
Full Risk Zone Breakdown for Friday May 22
| Risk Level | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Slight (2/5) | Oklahoma and portions of southern Kansas |
| Marginal (1/5) | Broader southern Plains corridor plus separate Kentucky and Tennessee zone |
| Thunderstorms | Wide coverage from the Plains through the South and Southeast |
Two Regions That Need to Watch Friday Closely
Oklahoma and southern Kansas residents should have weather plans in place before Friday afternoon as the Slight Risk zone makes this area the day’s most likely location for organized severe storm development. Meanwhile, residents across Kentucky and Tennessee should not overlook the separate Marginal Risk designation sitting directly over their states, which signals a distinct and independent threat on Friday.
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for full coverage and updates as Friday’s severe weather outlook develops across Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
