A severe weather outbreak occurred on the afternoon and evening of Saturday April 14th, 2012 across Kansas and northwest Oklahoma. Multiple tornadoes, including a few that were strong, very large hail and damaging winds accompanied the supercells that formed through the afternoon and evening. Over a dozen tornadoes occurred in northwest Oklahoma in addition to the numerous tornadoes in Kansas.
Much of Oklahoma remained under clear skies for the afternoon, which coupled with plentiful moisture allowed very strong instability to develop. A dryline stretched from western Kansas into northwest and western Oklahoma through the afternoon hours. Thunderstorms ignited off the dryline in the early afternoon, with the first severe weather reports around 230pm. The first tornado was not reported until nearly 4pm as low level wind shear increased gradually. The tornado reports continued through nearly 1am with the tornado that impacted Woodward, OK the last tornado of the evening.
With the first supercells firing around 2 PM, many dropped large hail, some as large as 3 inches in diameter. Many brief tornado touchdowns were reported as well, with the initial reports north of Woodward, OK. Additional supercells developed through the afternoon with a prominent tornadic supercell developing near Waynoka, Oklahoma. This supercell produced multiple tornadoes near Cherokee and continued moving to the northeast. One tornado with this supercell produced damage to a cemetery west of Byron. Fortunately, many of the tornadoes from this thunderstorm remained over mainly rural areas in Waynoka, Woods and Alfalfa counties.
Another tornadic supercell developed southwest of Woodward before midnight and tracked toward Woodward. The Woodward tornado began around 1150 PM roughly 3 miles northeast of Arnett and moved northeast into Woodward county. The southwest city limits of Woodward were impacted near 1218 AM on Sunday April 15th, 2012 and the tornado finally exited the north-northwest side of Woodward around 1223 AM. The tornado dissipated shortly afterward, 4 miles north of Woodward. Sadly, 6 fatalities were reported with the tornado that impacted Woodward.

Hail in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 15:08:00 to 14-APR-12 15:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODWARD
Magnitude: 3.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail in ELLIS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 15:52:00 to 14-APR-12 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNETT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in ROGER MILLS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:10:00 to 14-APR-12 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: REYDON
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:15:00 to 14-APR-12 16:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHARON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in DEWEY, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 17:04:00 to 14-APR-12 17:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: VICI
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in DEWEY, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 17:13:00 to 14-APR-12 17:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: VICI
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in HARPER, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 21:45:00 to 14-APR-12 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in ROGER MILLS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 23:30:00 to 14-APR-12 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEYENNE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

No damage occurred with the wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUSTER, OKLAHOMA
From 15-APR-12 00:45:00 to 15-APR-12 00:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLINTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

No damage occurred with the wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROGER MILLS, OKLAHOMA
From 15-APR-12 00:45:00 to 15-APR-12 00:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEYENNE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

No damage occurred with the wind gust.

Hail in KIOWA, OKLAHOMA
From 15-APR-12 00:55:00 to 15-APR-12 00:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOBART
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in WOODS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:06:00 to 14-APR-12 18:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNOKA
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ELLIS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:40:00 to 14-APR-12 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNETT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HARPER, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 13:30:00 to 14-APR-12 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAVERNE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in HARPER, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 14:15:00 to 14-APR-12 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMAN
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 14:47:00 to 14-APR-12 14:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORT SUPPLY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HARPER, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 14:59:00 to 14-APR-12 14:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMAN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 15:26:00 to 14-APR-12 15:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORELAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A tornado was observed by a storm chaser approximately 4 miles west-northwest of Freedom, likely just on the south side of the Cimarron River, however the location is estimated. No damage is known to have occurred with this tornado.

Tornado in MAJOR, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:01:00 to 14-APR-12 18:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOUSE JUNCTION
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Storm chasers reported a brief tornado that is estimated to have occurred about 4 miles northwest of Bouse Junction (the junction of US Highways 281 and 412.) This tornado produced no known damage.

Hail in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:50:00 to 14-APR-12 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORELAND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ELLIS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 22:07:00 to 14-APR-12 22:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHATTUCK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in WOODS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:14:00 to 14-APR-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNOKA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The tornado moved from Major County into Woods County south and southeast of Waynoka. As the tornado was in the process of dissipating, it damaged equipment at an oil field southeast of Waynoka starting a fire.

Tornado in WOODS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:19:00 to 14-APR-12 18:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNOKA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The tornado developed just northwest and west of the tornado that moved into Woods County from Major County. It produced no known damage and the location is estimated.

Tornado in ELLIS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 22:42:00 to 14-APR-12 23:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNETT
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

The tornado developed south of Arnett and moved northeast. Two homes were categorized as destroyed and a few other homes sustained damage. Trees and power lines were also damaged as the tornado moved toward the Woodward county border. The tornado eventually crossed the border, doing substantially more damage towards Woodward.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 23:05:00 to 14-APR-12 23:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: TANGIER
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado developed approximately just south of Arnett (Ellis County) at 11:42 pm CDT on April 14, 2012 and moved northeast. Only minor damage, downed trees and power poles/lines, was seen as the tornado moved over mainly rural portions of Woodward County, southwest of the city of Woodward. At approximately 12:12 am CDT on April 15, 2012, the tornado struck two mobile homes 5 miles southwest of Woodward. The damage here was determined to be EF-2 in intensity, and also resulted in 3 fatalities. The heaviest damage, rated EF-3, was reported as the tornado entered the southwest sides of Woodward around 12:18 am CDT. Several homes and businesses were heavily damaged as the tornado continued northeast.
Several more mobile homes were destroyed by the tornado on the north side of Woodward, and resulted in 3 additional fatalities. The tornado finally exited the city of Woodward at approximately 12:23 am CDT, eventually dissipating approximately 4 miles north of Woodward at 12:27 am CDT.

Hail in WOODS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:15:00 to 14-APR-12 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPETON
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ELLIS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:05:00 to 14-APR-12 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNETT
Magnitude: 3.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Tornado in GRANT, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 19:37:00 to 14-APR-12 19:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANCHESTER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A large and violently rotating tornado crossed from Alfalfa County through far northwest Grant County briefly before entering Harper County, Kansas (see NWS Wichita report for southeast Kansas for the continuation of this tornado). The tornado produced no known damage in Grant County, except to trees.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:18:00 to 14-APR-12 16:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: TANGIER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Television chasers reported a tornado that produced no known damage. The tornado was estimated to have occurred 6 miles north-northwest of Harmon.

Tornado in HARPER, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 15:00:00 to 14-APR-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This tornado moved into Harper County from Woodward County, producing barn damage near the county line.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 14:49:00 to 14-APR-12 14:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORT SUPPLY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The tornado produced no known damage and the location is estimated.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 14:59:00 to 14-APR-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORT SUPPLY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This tornado formed just south of the Harper County line and moved northeast into Harper County. A barn was damaged near the county line.

Tornado in WOODS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 15:33:00 to 14-APR-12 15:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMP HOUSTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Numerous storm chasers observed this brief tornado occurring north-northwest of Freedom. This tornado produced no known damage and the location is estimated.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 16:24:00 to 14-APR-12 16:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: TANGIER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Television chasers reported a tornado that is estimated to have occurred about 9 miles north of Harmon. No known damage was produced by this tornado.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 17:15:00 to 14-APR-12 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORELAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

No known damage occurred with the tornado and the location is estimated.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 17:51:00 to 14-APR-12 17:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORELAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The multiple-vortex tornado was brief and produced no known damage. The location is estimated.

Tornado in MAJOR, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:06:00 to 14-APR-12 18:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOUSE JUNCTION
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Numerous storm chasers observed this tornado which produced no known damage as it moved northeast into Woods county. The location is estimated.

Tornado in WOODS, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:30:00 to 14-APR-12 18:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNOKA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Numerous chasers observed this tornado that moved from approximately 10 miles east of Waynoka to approximately 2 miles northeast of Hopeton. Despite the 9-mile long path, no damage was reported.

Tornado in ALFALFA, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:57:00 to 14-APR-12 19:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEROKEE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This tornado developed and was occurring simultaneously with the previous tornado northwest of Cherokee for about 7 minutes. This tornado is estimated to have moved from about 3 miles northwest of Cherokee to about 1 mile northwest of Amorita. Damage occurred to numerous outbuildings and trees along the path, including at the Byron-Amorita cemetery.

Tornado in ALFALFA, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 18:47:00 to 14-APR-12 19:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEROKEE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Soon after the tornado in eastern Woods County dissipated, the storm produced another tornado in western Alfalfa County that moved from west-southwest to northwest of Cherokee. Farm equipment was damaged west-southwest of Cherokee, outbuildings were damaged west of Cherokee, and 2 large steel barns were damaged northwest of Cherokee.

Tornado in ALFALFA, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 19:19:00 to 14-APR-12 19:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMORITA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A large and violently rotating tornado moved northeast over open land, crossing into the far northwest corner of Grant county before entering Kansas. The tornado produced tree damage, but no known structure damage.

Tornado in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 14-APR-12 17:50:00 to 14-APR-12 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORELAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The tornado produced no known damage and the location is estimated.