Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:2013 El Reno tornado

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|Widest and second-strongest tornado ever recorded}}
{{About|the record-breaking tornado in 2013|the EF5 tornado in 2011|2011 El Reno–Piedmont tornado|the EF3 tornado in 2019|Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2019#El Reno, Oklahoma}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{good article}}{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox weather event
 | image                = El Reno, OK EF3 Tornado 2013-05-31.jpg
 | image alt            = 
 | caption              = View of the tornado from the southeast at 6:28&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT (2328&nbsp;UTC) as it was nearing peak strength
 | formed               = 6:03 p.m. CDT<br>May 31, 2013
 | duration             = 40 minutes
 | dissipated           = 6:43 p.m. CDT<br>May 31, 2013
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
 | fujitascale          = EF3 <!--Do not change this to "EF5". The NWS specifically stated that winds measured by radar Do not count towards the rating. Since only EF3 Damage was observed, It was rated EF3. See https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-20130531-elreno.-->
| winds = {{Unbulleted list|>{{convert|155|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}*|<small>*Wind speeds up to ~{{convert|135.0|m/s|mph km/h|abbr=on}} were measured via [[RaXPol]] mobile research radar (unofficial estimate)<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1175/WAF-D-14-00152.1| title=A Multiscale Overview of the el Reno, Oklahoma, Tornadic Supercell of 31 May 2013| journal=Weather and Forecasting| volume=30| issue=3| pages=525–552| year=2015| last1=Bluestein| first1=Howard B.| last2=Snyder| first2=Jeffrey C.| last3=Houser| first3=Jana B.| bibcode=2015WtFor..30..525B| doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-20130531-elreno |title= The May 31, 2013 El Reno, OK Tornado |website= National Weather Service, Norman, OK |access-date= 5 June 2021 |archive-date= June 5, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210605131604/https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-20130531-elreno |url-status= dead }}</ref>{{efn|The [[National Weather Service]] does not currently implement wind speed estimates into its official tornado ratings, so while the winds align with the "EF5" category of the Enhanced Fujita scale, damage surveys took precedence. As a result, while the wind estimates are considered reliable by the NWS, the tornado ultimately received a rating of "EF3" based on a damage survey (in the weeks before this, it was considered an "EF5"). The wind speeds that produced the EF3 damage were not disclosed.|name=winds}}</small>}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
 | deaths               = 8
 | injuries             = 151
 | year                 = 2013
 | affected             = [[Canadian County, Oklahoma]]; especially areas to the south of [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
 | season               = [[tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013]]
}}
During the early evening of Friday, May 31, 2013, an extremely large and powerful [[tornado]]{{efn|name=winds}} occurred over rural areas of [[Central Oklahoma|Central]] [[Oklahoma]]. This rain-wrapped, [[multiple-vortex tornado]] was the [[Tornado records#Largest path width|widest tornado]] ever recorded and was part of [[Tornado outbreak of May 26–31, 2013|a larger weather system]] that produced dozens of tornadoes over the preceding days. The tornado initially touched down at 6:03&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;[[Central Daylight Time]] (2303&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]) about {{convert|8.3|mi|km}} west-southwest of [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno]], rapidly growing in size and becoming more violent as it tracked through central portions of [[Canadian County, Oklahoma|Canadian County]]. Remaining over mostly open terrain, the tornado did not impact many structures; however, measurements from mobile [[weather radar]]s revealed extreme winds up to {{convert|135.0|m/s|mph km/h|abbr=on}} within the vortex. These are among the highest observed wind speeds on [[Earth]], just slightly lower than the wind speeds of the [[1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado]]. As it crossed [[U.S. Route 81 in Oklahoma|U.S. 81]], it had grown to a record-breaking width of {{convert|2.6|mi|km}}, beating the previous width record set in [[2004 Hallam tornado|2004]]. Turning northeastward, the tornado soon weakened. Upon crossing [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|Interstate 40]], the tornado dissipated around 6:43&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT (2343&nbsp;UTC), after tracking for {{convert|16.2|mi|km}}, it avoided affecting the more densely populated areas near and within the [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area]].

The tornado killed four storm chasers (three professional and one amateur), the first known deaths in the history of [[storm chasing]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The storm chaser dilemma and choice to sit out the May 31 Oklahoma City tornadoes|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/06/03/the-storm-chaser-dilemma-and-choosing-to-miss-a-tornado/|author=Ian Livingston|author2=Mark Ellinwood|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> Although the tornado remained over mostly open terrain, dozens of storm chasers unaware of its immense size and erratic movement were caught off-guard. Near U.S. 81, [[TWISTEX]] scientist and engineer [[Tim Samaras]], along with his son Paul and research partner Carl Young, died in the tornado. Paul Samaras and Young were ejected from their [[Chevrolet Cobalt]] by the storm's sub-vortex, while Tim was still buckled in the passenger's seat. Local resident Richard Henderson, who decided to follow the storm, lost his life in that same area. He snapped a picture of the tornado from his cellular phone before it struck him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oklahoma storms: Amateur storm chaser took photo of tornado that killed him|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/columns/2013/06/03/oklahoma-storms-amateur-storm-chaser-took-photo-of-tornado-that-killed-him/60928721007/|author=Nolan Clay|newspaper=[[The Oklahoman]]|publisher=[[The Anschutz Corporation|Oklahoma Publishing Company]]|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503150711/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/columns/2013/06/03/oklahoma-storms-amateur-storm-chaser-took-photo-of-tornado-that-killed-him/60928721007/|archive-date= May 3, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Other chasers, including [[Mike Bettes]] of [[The Weather Channel]] and [[Reed Timmer]], were either injured or had their vehicles damaged. A [[Doppler on Wheels]]-based analysis of how the tornado impacted these teams revealed that they were hit by an intense internal sub-vortex.<ref name="Wurman, Joshua">{{cite journal|title=The Role of Multiple-Vortex Tornado Structure in Causing Storm Researcher Fatalities|journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|volume=95|issue=1|pages=31–45|author=Joshua Wurman|author2=Karen Kosiba|author3=Paul Robinson|author4=Tim Marshall|publisher=BAMS American Meteorological Society|doi=10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00221.1|year=2014|bibcode=2014BAMS...95...31W|doi-access=free}}</ref> Overall, the tornado was responsible for eight fatalities and 151 injuries.<ref name="DowngradeandInjuries">{{cite news|title=Historic El Reno, OK tornado is downgraded by National Weather Service|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/large-el-reno-ok-tornado-has-its-intensity-downgraded-by-national-weather-service|author=Mark Johnson|publisher=[[WEWS-TV]]|date=September 1, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903062736/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/large-el-reno-ok-tornado-has-its-intensity-downgraded-by-national-weather-service|archive-date=September 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to the ferocity and sheer size, as well as its irregular movement and the deaths linked with this tornado, it has become one of the most studied and infamous tornadoes ever. The [[National Weather Service]] referred to the tornado as "the most dangerous tornado in storm observing history."<ref name="NWSNormanMay31" />

Alongside [[rush hour]] traffic, thousands of residents in [[Oklahoma City]] attempted to outrun the storm by taking to the roads in an attempt to drive out of the tornado's projected path. By attempting to escape the storm by vehicle, in direct contrast to the recommended plan of action, residents put themselves at great risk from the storm; had the tornado maintained itself and passed over the congested freeways, more than 500 lives could have been lost.<ref name="wunderblog">{{cite web|title=A Night of Tornado Chaos in Oklahoma City: 9 Killed, 71 Injured|url=https://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/a-night-of-tornado-chaos-in-oklahoma-city-9-killed-71-injured.html|author=Jeff Masters|website=[[Weather Underground (weather service)|Weather Underground]]|publisher=[[The Weather Company]]|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

== Meteorological synopsis ==
[[File:20130531-ElRenoOK 2310Z.png|upright=1.1|thumb|Satellite imagery of the storm system responsible for the {{nowrap|May 26–31}}, 2013 tornado outbreak at 6:10&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT]]
On May 31, 2013, a prominent mid-to-upper level [[Trough (meteorology)|trough]] and closed mid-level [[low pressure]] area moved east-northeastward, with a lead upper low pivoting over [[the Dakotas]] and [[Upper Midwest]] region. A moderately strong [[jet stream|polar jet]] moved east-northeastward over the southern [[Rocky Mountains]] to the southern [[Great Plains]]. With a broad influence of moderately strong cyclonic flow aloft, the [[air mass]] was expected to become [[Atmospheric instability|unstable]] across much of the southern [[Great Plains]], through the [[Upper Midwest]] and [[Mississippi Valley]], by the afternoon.<ref name="Outlook">{{cite web|title=May 31, 2013 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2013/day1otlk_20130531_1200.html|website=[[Storm Prediction Center]]|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref>

[[Dewpoint]] values had ranged from the upper 60s&nbsp;°[[Fahrenheit|F]] (20&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]]) to the lower 70s&nbsp;°F (20–22&nbsp;°C), with temperatures in the low to mid-80s&nbsp;°F (27–30&nbsp;°C), and [[Convective available potential energy|CAPE]] (a meteorological concept used to predict the force and power of potential storms and tornadoes) predicting referring to values ranging from 3500 to 5000 [[SI derived unit|J/kg]]. Deep layer [[wind shear]] speeds of {{convert|45|–|55|kn|mph|abbr=on}} would enhance storm organization and intensity.<ref name="Outlook" /> These factors, along with CAPE values in excess of 4000&nbsp;J/kg and an embedded speed maxima rotating around the southern periphery of the low, made the threat of significant severe thunderstorms increasingly likely.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mesoscale Discussion 908 |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0908.html |author=Greg Dial |website=Storm Prediction Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=June 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603200432/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0908.html |archive-date=June 3, 2013  }}</ref> These ingredients were present ahead of a [[cold front]] extending from the low from the eastern Dakotas southwestward to western [[Oklahoma]], and ahead of a [[dry line]] extending from western Oklahoma southward into western north and west-central [[Texas]].<ref name="Outlook" /> The most intense severe weather activity was expected across the southern Great Plains, specifically central and eastern Oklahoma, during the afternoon hours. As such, the [[Storm Prediction Center]] (SPC) issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms during the early morning hours of May 31 from southeastern [[Missouri]] to southwestern Oklahoma. The degree of wind shear, moisture and instability within the warm sector favored the development of discrete [[supercell]]s. Very large [[hail]] and tornadoes were expected with the supercells, with the possibility of a few strong to violent tornadoes.<ref name="Outlook" />

At 3:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time]] (CDT) early that afternoon, the SPC issued a [[Particularly Dangerous Situation]] [[Tornado Watch]] from southwestern through northeastern Oklahoma, surrounding the [[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|Interstate 44]] corridor.<ref name="SPCTornadoWatch">{{cite report|title=Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Watch 262|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2013/ww0262.html|author=John A. Hart|website=Storm Prediction Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|location=Norman, Oklahoma|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="CentralOKTornadoWatch">{{cite web|title=Special Weather Statement: Tornado Watch|url=http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/#2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-A-0262/USCOMP-N0Q-201305312025|publisher=[[National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma]]|via=[[Iowa State University|Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive]]|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="EasternOKTornadoWatch">{{cite web|title=Special Weather Statement: Tornado Watch|url=http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/#2013-O-NEW-KTSA-TO-A-0262/USCOMP-N0Q-201305312025|publisher=[[National Weather Service Tulsa, Oklahoma]]|via=Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref>

=== Storm development and track ===
[[File:May 31, 2013 Oklahoma Phased Array Radar Reflectivity.gif|thumb|left|[[Phased array]] radar ([[Weather radar#Reflectivity (in decibel or dBZ)|reflectivity]]; [//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/May_31%2C_2013_Oklahoma_Phased_Array_Radar_Reflectivity.gif click to animate]) of the series of supercell thunderstorms that impacted the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on May 31.]]

A quasi-linear complex of thunderstorms began developing near the [[U.S. Route 81 in Oklahoma|Highway 81]] corridor west of Oklahoma City between 4:00 and 4:45&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT, and rapidly reached severe intensity. At 5:33&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT (2233&nbsp;UTC), the [[National Weather Service]] [[National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma|Weather Forecast Office]] in [[Norman, Oklahoma]] issued a [[tornado warning]] for [[Canadian County, Oklahoma|Canadian County]], prompted by increasingly strong tornadic circulation exhibited in the southernmost supercell of this complex.<ref>{{cite web|work=National Weather Service Office in Norman, Oklahoma|publisher=Iowa Environmental Mesonet|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=September 30, 2016|title=Special Weather Statement: Tornado Warning|url=http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/#2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-W-0057/USCOMP-N0Q-201305312235}}</ref>

At 6:03&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT (2303&nbsp;UTC), a large tornadic [[wall cloud]] formed and touched down, initially in the form of several smaller [[Multiple-vortex tornado|sub-vortices]],<ref name="Hargrove">{{cite news|title=The Last Ride of Legendary Storm Chaser Tim Samaras|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2013-08-29/news/the-last-ride-of-legendary-storm-chaser-tim-samaras/full/|author=Brantley Hargrove|newspaper=[[Dallas Observer]]|location=Dallas, Texas|date=August 29, 2013|access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> {{convert|8.3|mi|km}} west-southwest of [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno]].<ref name="NWSNormanMay31" /> The tornado ultimately attained EF3 intensity during its existence, according to ground surveys.<ref name="DowngradeandInjuries" /> As the tornado passed south of El Reno across U.S. 81, it grew to an unprecedented width of {{convert|2.6|mi|km}}, becoming the [[Tornado records|widest known tornado]] ever recorded in the United States.{{efn|Though the El Reno tornado officially ranks as the widest on record, [[Doppler on Wheels]] measurements of the [[1999 Mulhall tornado|1999 Mulhall, Oklahoma tornado]] indicated that it may have been {{convert|4.3|mi|km|abbr=on}} wide.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Low-Level Winds in Tornadoes and Potential Catastrophic Tornado Impacts in Urban Areas|author=Joshua Wurman|author2=C. Alexander|author3=P. Robinson|author4=Y. Richardson|journal=[[Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society]]|publisher=[[American Meteorological Society]]|volume=88|issue=1|pages=31–46|doi=10.1175/BAMS-88-1-31|bibcode=2007BAMS...88...31W|date=January 2007|doi-access=free}}</ref> The 1946 Timber Lake, South Dakota tornado was documented by the United States Weather Bureau to have been {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on}} wide, but it occurred outside the National Weather Service’s timeframe for “reliable records”, which started in 1950.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=1 April 1946 |volume=74 |issue=4 |page=73 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1946)074<0073:SLSFA>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free |title=Severe Local Storms for April 1946 |bibcode=1946MWRv...74...73. }}</ref>|group="nb"|name="Mulhall and Timber Lake"}}<ref name="NWSNormanMay31">{{cite web|title=Central Oklahoma Tornadoes and Flash Flooding – May 31, 2013|url=http://www.weather.gov/oun/events-20130531|website=National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name="EF5PNS">{{cite web|title=Update On May 31 El Reno Tornado |url=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/validProds.php?prod%3DPNS%26node%3DKOUN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805130912/http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/validProds.php?prod=PNS&node=KOUN |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 5, 2012 |website=National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=June 4, 2013 }}</ref> At 6:28&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT (2328&nbsp;UTC), the storm began moving into more densely populated areas of Canadian County while maintaining its intensity. This prompted the National Weather Service office in Norman to issue a [[tornado emergency]] for [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]], Richland, [[Wiley Post Airport]], [[Bethany, Oklahoma|Bethany]], [[The Village, Oklahoma|The Village]], and eastern El Reno, as the tornado was projected to track toward western portions of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Within minutes, the tornado turned northeast and soon passed directly over [[Interstate 40]] at around 6:42&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp;CDT (2342&nbsp;UTC).<ref>{{cite web|title=Special Weather Statement: Tornado Warning|url=http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/#2013-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-W-0060/USCOMP-N0Q-201305312235|publisher=National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma|via=Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the tornado lifted off the ground as it neared Banner Road. Overall, the tornado was on the ground for 40 minutes along a {{convert|16.2|mi|km|adj=on}} path.<ref name="EF5PNS" />

A strong [[Anticyclonic tornado|anticyclonic]] multivortex [[satellite tornado]] also formed southeast of the primary tornado at approximately 6:28&nbsp;pm&nbsp;CDT (2328&nbsp;UTC), and remained on the ground for 15 minutes before lifting at 6:43 (2343&nbsp;UTC). Such companion tornadoes tend to be observed with especially large and intense tornadoes, although this was the first documented multiple-vortex anticyclonic tornado of this kind.<ref name="fatal">{{cite journal|title=The Role of Multiple-Vortex Tornado Structure in Causing Storm Researcher Fatalities|author=Joshua Wurman|author2=K. Kosiba|author3=P. Robinson|author4=T. Marshall|journal=[[Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society]]|volume=95|issue=1|pages=31–45|doi=10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00221.1|bibcode=2014BAMS...95...31W|date=January 2014|author-link=Joshua Wurman|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Intensity ===
[[File:May 31, 2013 EF5 El Reno, OK Tornado showing multiple sub vortices.ogv|thumb|right|Video of several sub-vortices within the tornado.]]
The intensity of the tornado has been a subject of internal debate within the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]. The agency utilizes the [[Enhanced Fujita Scale]] to rate and assess tornado intensity based on the damage left behind. This excludes the use of supplementary measurements, such as those from mobile [[Weather radar|radar]], in concluding a tornado's intensity.<ref name=Downgrade /> Initially receiving an official EF3 rating based on damage, the El Reno tornado was subsequently upgraded to a radar-estimated EF5 rating, the highest on the scale, based on data from a mobile radar. The [[University of Oklahoma]]'s RaXPol mobile Doppler weather radar, positioned at a nearby overpass, measured winds preliminarily analyzed as in excess of {{convert|296|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. These winds are considered the second-highest ever measured worldwide, just shy of the {{convert|302|±|22|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} recorded during the [[1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado]].<ref name=JeffMJune4>{{cite web|title=Largest Tornado on Record: the May 31 El Reno, OK EF-5 Tornado|url=http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2426|author=Jeff Masters|website=Weather Underground|publisher=The Weather Company|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605054308/http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2426|archive-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1175/WAF-D-14-00152.1| title=A Multiscale Overview of the el Reno, Oklahoma, Tornadic Supercell of 31 May 2013| journal=Weather and Forecasting| volume=30| issue=3| pages=525–552| year=2015| last1=Bluestein| first1=Howard B.| last2=Snyder| first2=Jeffrey C.| last3=Houser| first3=Jana B.| bibcode=2015WtFor..30..525B| doi-access=free}}</ref>

{{Multiple image|align=left|perrow=1
|image1=ElReno PNS graphic final2.png |caption1=
|image2=2013 El Reno Tornado Timeline.jpg|caption2=A minute-by-minute timeline of the tornado’s position.
}}
Revised RaXPol analysis found winds of {{convert|302|±|34|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} well above ground level and ≥{{convert|291|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} below {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}, with some subvortices moving at {{convert|175|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="RaXPol">{{cite journal|title=Some Considerations for the Use of High-Resolution Mobile Radar Data in Tornado Intensity Determination|author=Jeff Snyder|author2=H. B. Bluestein|journal=Weather Forecast|volume=29|issue=4|pages=799–827|year=2014|doi=10.1175/WAF-D-14-00026.1|bibcode=2014WtFor..29..799S|s2cid=122669043 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1234617|doi-access=free}}</ref> The strongest winds occurred in small [[multiple-vortex tornado|subvortices]] along the south side of the main vortex. The two most intense vortices occurred north and east of the intersection of 10th Street and Radio Road, about {{convert|3|mi|km}} southeast of El Reno.<ref name=NewsOKJune4 /><ref>{{cite news|title=El Reno, Union City tornado widest tornado on record|url=http://kfor.com/2013/06/04/update-el-reno-union-city-tornado-widest-tornado-on-record/|author=A. Edwards|publisher=[[KFOR-TV]]|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> The main funnel is believed to have had radar-estimated EF4 winds, with wind speeds around {{convert|185|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Radar-estimated EF5 winds were only found aloft and in the smaller vortices that revolved around this funnel at {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=JeffMJune4 />

Rick Smith, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, stated that this tornado was among a "super-rare" category within the EF5 rating. Smith also stated that it was fortunate the tornado did not track into more densely populated areas, particularly those within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, "this would have been … I don't even want to imagine what it would have been."<ref name=NewsOKJune4>{{cite news|title=El Reno tornado is 'super rare' national record-breaker|url=http://newsok.com/el-reno-tornado-is-super-rare-national-record-breaker/article/3841672|author=Bryan Painter|newspaper=The Oklahoman|publisher=Oklahoma Publishing Company|location=Norman, Oklahoma|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> William Hooke, a senior policy fellow at the [[American Meteorological Society]] stated that, "[Oklahoma City] dodged a bullet...You lay that path over Oklahoma City, and you have devastation of biblical proportions."<ref name=HuffPostJune4>{{cite news|title=El Reno, Oklahoma Tornado Believed To Be Widest Twister On Record |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/el-reno-oklahoma-tornado-widest_n_3385051.html |author=Sean Murphy |agency=Associated Press |website=[[HuffPost]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605185022/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/el-reno-oklahoma-tornado-widest_n_3385051.html |archive-date=June 5, 2013  }}</ref>

On August 30, the National Weather Service office in Norman once again revised the intensity of the El Reno tornado. Keli Pirtle, a Public Affairs worker at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stated that, "despite the radar-measured wind speeds, the survey team did not find damage that would support a rating higher than EF3. While the wind measurements from the mobile radars are considered reliable, NWS policy for determining EF-ratings is based on surveys of ground damage."<ref name=Downgrade>{{cite web|title=NWS releases statement about El Reno tornado rating|url=http://digitalmeteorologist.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/elrenotornado/|author=Nate Johnson|website=Digital Meteorologist|date=August 31, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> The lack of EF5 damage was likely a result of the rural nature of the area, as the sub-vortices that contained the EF5 wind speeds did not impact any structures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Storm Events Database: May 31, 2013 Tornado|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=453682|website=[[National Climatic Data Center]]|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why was El Reno, Oklahoma tornado downgraded to EF-3?|url=http://earthsky.org/earth/why-was-el-reno-oklahoma-tornado-downgraded-to-ef-3|author1=Greg Forbes|author2=Matt Daniel|website=EarthSky.org|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref>

== Storm chaser incidents ==
[[File:2013 El Reno tornado Samaras Car.jpg|thumb|The crushed remains of TWISTEX's [[Chevrolet Cobalt]] near the intersection of Reuter and South Radio Roads, almost {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of El Reno.]]
The tornado's unusual behavior consisted of these simultaneous occurrences: abrupt changes in direction, rapid enlargement to a width of {{convert|2.6|mi|km|abbr=on}} in diameter in about 30 seconds,{{Clarify timeframe|date=March 2023}} swift increase in forward motion from about {{convert|20|to|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} within a few minutes, multiple vortices within and around, and an expansive [[Transparency and translucency|translucent]] outer circulation without a full condensation funnel while being surrounded and obscured by precipitation made it a worst-case scenario for storm chasers. Several professional and amateur chasers were caught off guard and impacted by the tornado.<ref name="ABCJune3">{{cite news|title=Storm Chasing Critical, Profitable and Dangerous|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/storm-chasing-critical-profitable-dangerous-19315716|author=Sean Murphy|author2=Solleen Slevin|agency=Associated Press|work=[[ABC News]]|location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> Many were located in a region northeast of the tornado, known as the "bear's cage". Chasers can generally get a clear view of the tornado from that area; however, it places them at great risk and with little time to react should the storm take a left turn.<ref name="KCSJune4" />

In the case of El Reno, the wrapping rain bands did not lead to a narrow corridor of clear air close to the tornado. Rather, these rotating curtains of rain were the outer circulation of the tornado itself. Former [[Discovery Channel]] storm chaser [[Tim Samaras]] (an engineer), his son Paul Samaras (a photographer), and Tim's longtime chase partner Carl Young (a [[meteorologist]]), all professional storm chasers with the [[TWISTEX]] project, were caught directly by the tornado; all three died in their vehicle, two of them were ejected.<ref>{{cite news|title=Colorado storm chaser Tim Samaras killed in Oklahoma tornado along with son, longtime partner |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/colorado-storm-chaser-tim-samaras-killed-in-oklahoma-tornado-along-with-son-longtime-partner |author=Anica Padilla |publisher=[[KMGH-TV]]  |date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607115754/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/colorado-storm-chaser-tim-samaras-killed-in-oklahoma-tornado-along-with-son-longtime-partner |archive-date=June 7, 2013 }}</ref> Normally, Tim drove a reinforced [[Truck classification#Ton rating|three-quarter ton]] truck optimized for [[hail]] protection and stability in high winds; however, on May 31, Carl was driving an unmodified [[Chevrolet Cobalt]], a [[subcompact]] vehicle with three 45-lb [[TWISTEX#Tornado core sampling|barometric probes]] in the trunk likened by one TWISTEX chaser to a "pizza delivery car", making it much less suited to high winds and rain-slicked backcountry dirt roads. It was also underpowered, which hampered their escape in the strong [[Inflow (meteorology)|inflow]] winds.<ref>{{cite news|title=Legendary Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras' Last Ride|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-08-29/news/tornado-chaser-tim-samaras-death/|author=Brantley Hargrove|newspaper=[[Miami New Times]]|page=2|date=August 29, 2013|access-date=August 31, 2013}}</ref> Tim's body was found still buckled in the passenger's seat. They were the first known tornado-related deaths of either recreational storm chasers or scientific researchers.<ref>{{cite news|title=3 veteran storm chasers killed by Oklahoma tornado |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/television/article/3-veteran-storm-chasers-killed-by-Oklahoma-tornado-4569747.php |author=Kelly B. Kissel |author2=Thomas Peipert |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=June 3, 2013 |access-date=June 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603224056/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/television/article/3-veteran-storm-chasers-killed-by-Oklahoma-tornado-4569747.php |archive-date=June 3, 2013  }}</ref>

[[File:El Reno, OK supercell from above 2013-05-31.jpg|thumb|left|The supercell thunderstorm which produced the El Reno tornado as viewed from above.]]
[[Mike Bettes]], a meteorologist for [[The Weather Channel]], was also caught in the storm. His sport utility vehicle was severely damaged, having been thrown about {{convert|200|yd|m}}; the driver was left with a broken neck, fractured vertebrae, and several broken ribs while Bettes and the other passenger sustained minor injuries.<ref name="KCSJune4">{{cite news|title=Storm chasers' deaths in Oklahoma tornado prompt questions, calls for regulation|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article320492/Storm-chasers’-deaths-in-Oklahoma-tornado-prompt-questions-calls-for-regulation.html|author=Stan Finger|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="WashPost">{{cite news|title=The day that should change tornado actions and storm chasing forever|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/06/01/the-night-that-should-change-tornado-actions-and-storm-chasing-forever/|author=James Samenow|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Weather Channel vehicle tossed by tornado|url=http://www.wvva.com/story/22473830/2013/05/31/weather-channel-vehicle-tossed-by-tornado|publisher=[[WVVA]]|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=May 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613144717/http://www.wvva.com/story/22473830/2013/05/31/weather-channel-vehicle-tossed-by-tornado|archive-date=June 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Meteorologist Emily Sutton and storm chaser Kevin Josefy of Oklahoma City [[NBC]] affiliate [[KFOR-TV]] (channel 4) were also caught in the path of the storm; their vehicle was damaged by debris hurled by the tornado.<ref>{{cite news|title=Emily Sutton, photographer Kevin Josefy have very close call with El Reno tornado|url=http://kfor.com/2013/05/31/emily-sutton-photographer-kevin-josefy-have-very-close-call-with-el-reno-tornado/|author=A. Edwards|author2=Emily Sutton|publisher=KFOR-TV|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> University of Oklahoma student Billy Prater, along with his father and a friend, sought refuge under an overpass (an action strongly discouraged in these situations) when the tornado changed direction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amateur storm chaser survives tornado under overpass|url=http://kfor.com/2013/06/03/amateur-storm-chaser-survives-tornado-under-overpass/|author=Sarah Stewart|publisher=KFOR-TV|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> Near [[Union City, Oklahoma|Union City]], debris from a barn destroyed by the tornado struck the vehicle of Brandon Sullivan and Brett Wright, breaking their windshield; they escaped without injury.<ref>{{cite web|title='Duck down!' Daredevil storm chasers get too close to tornado, struck by debris from destroyed barn|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/okla-tornado-storm-chasers-close-twister-article-1.1360523|author=Beth Stebner|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> The hood of [[Reed Timmer]]'s [[SRV Dominator|Dominator 2]], a vehicle designed for intercepting tornadoes, was torn off by lines that were down from the tornado.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Weather Channel's "Tornado Hunt 2013" vehicle flips over while chasing May 31 tornadoes|url=http://kfor.com/2013/06/01/video-the-weather-channels-tornado-hunt-2013-vehicle-received-major-damage-near-el-reno/|author=B. White|publisher=KFOR-TV|date=June 1, 2012|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> Storm chaser Dan Robinson received injuries after being enveloped within the outskirts of the tornadic circulation. He escaped a few hundred meters ahead of the TWISTEX crew and is believed to be the last person to see Samaras, his son Paul and Young.<ref name="Hargrove" />

A [[Doppler on Wheels]]-based analysis of how the tornado impacted these teams revealed that they were hit by an intense internal sub-vortex. This analysis showed that both the Weather Channel and TWISTEX vehicles entered the tornado through the less intense north/northwestern side, then were impacted by the internal sub-vortex, which contained radar-indicated winds approaching {{convert|200|mph|kph}} and was moving in a complex quasi-trochoidal pattern, sometimes nearly stationary, sometimes with forward speeds over {{convert|100|mph|kph}}. Entering the larger tornadic circulation without the ability to maintain situational awareness of the internal sub-vortex was likely a key contributing factor to the deaths and injuries.<ref name="Wurman, Joshua" />

=== Response ===
[[File:Storm chaser tribute June 2, 2013.jpg|thumb|right|Storm spotter tribute to Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, and Carl Young across the Plains on June 2.]]
In the wake of the storm chaser deaths, Kansas Emergency Management Association president Brian Stone called for there to be regulations put on future storm chasing; however, he stated that there are questions as to how it would actually be implemented. [[AccuWeather]] Senior Vice President Mike Smith urged against overreacting to their deaths, citing that they were the first chasers to be killed in 40&nbsp;years of the practice and that chasing as a whole is a significant source of real-time and research information.<ref name="KCSJune4" />

On June 2, dozens of members of the storm chasing and spotting communities coordinated a tribute to Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, and Carl Young. Using [[GPS tracking unit|GPS transponders]] over [[Spotter Network]], they aligned themselves to spell out the initials of the three men in [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]] and [[Nebraska]] for many hours.<ref>{{cite news|title=Storm Chasing Community Pays Tribute To Tim Samaras|url=http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Storm-Chasing-Community-Pays-Tribute-To-Tim-4569893.php|author=Adam Taylor|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle (Business Insider)|date=June 2, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> The Discovery Channel scheduled a special tribute episode of ''[[Storm Chasers (TV series)|Storm Chasers]]'' titled ''Mile Wide Tornado: Oklahoma Disaster'' on June 5, both honoring the three chasers and covering the events of [[2013 Moore tornado|the EF5-rated tornado]] that struck [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]] and portions of southern Oklahoma City eleven days earlier on May 20.<ref>{{cite news|title='Stormchasers' tribute episode to honor stars killed in Oklahoma tornado|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/stormchasers-tribute-episode-honor-stars-killed-article-1.1362858|author=Chiderah Monde|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|publisher=Daily News, L.P.|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> The November 2013 issue of ''[[National Geographic]]'', for its featured cover story, paid tribute to Tim Samaras, a National Geographic Explorer funded in part by the [[National Geographic Society|Society]], and featured a detailed scientific analysis of the tornado itself.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Last Chase |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/11/biggest-storm/draper-text|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015181441/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/11/biggest-storm/draper-text|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2013|author=Robert Draper|publisher=[[National Geographic Society]]|date=November 2013|access-date=February 20, 2014}}</ref>

A team of scientists and veteran chasers embarked on a crowd-sourcing survey project to gather storm chaser information, including video and photographic recordings and [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] logs, to piece together precisely what happened. It is, as of February 2014, the largest such visual data set ever collected on a tornado. The chaser information is compiled with radar and [[Lightning detection|lightning]] data and the project is intended to eventually expand to a standardized open access database covering future events.<ref>{{cite web|title=El Reno Survey – A Survey of the tornado of 31 May 2013|url=http://el-reno-survey.net/|year=2014|access-date=February 20, 2014}}</ref> In association with the project, software was unveiled in 2015 allowing for the synchronization of maps, radar data, and storm chasers' footage of the storm. The tool was named "Tornado Environment Display" (TED) after Dr. [[Ted Fujita]]. Anton Seimon, one of the tool's architects, said that while the tool had only been used in relation to the El Reno tornado, it could potentially be applied to future tornadoes with sufficient footage as well.<ref>{{cite news|title=Look Inside Largest Tornado Ever With New Tool|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151204-tornado-environment-display-el-reno-samaras-storm-science/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207092527/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151204-tornado-environment-display-el-reno-samaras-storm-science/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2015|last=Howard|first=Brian Clark|work=National Geographic|date=December 4, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2017}}</ref>

== Casualties and impact ==
[[File:EF3 damage from 2013 El Reno tornado.jpeg|thumb|left|A destroyed home about {{convert|4|mi|km}} west of U.S. Route 81.]]
Since the tornado remained over mostly open terrain, damage was relatively light – although still significant in isolated locations – in comparison to its extreme intensity. Surveys from the National Weather Service revealed that structures in its path sustained EF3-level damage at most.<ref>{{cite news|title=El Reno tornado is 'super rare' national record-breaker|url=http://newsok.com/el-reno-tornado-is-a-national-record-breaker/article/3841672|author=Bryan Painter|author2=Silas Allen|newspaper=The Oklahoman|publisher=Oklahoma Publishing Company|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> The Oklahoma City West Livestock Market was described as a "war zone," sustaining extensive damage. Several large steel-frame warehouse type buildings were destroyed at that location. Multiple large brick buildings at the nearby [[Canadian Valley Technology Center]] were heavily damaged or destroyed, and a large metal [[wind turbine]] prop blade was thrown {{convert|100|yd|m}} into the side of a daycare building on the property. Damage totals at that location alone were estimated at up to $40&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oklahoma Campus, Ravaged by a Tornado, Draws Attention to Storm Shelters|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/us/oklahoma-campus-shows-value-of-storm-shelters.html|author=Manny Fernandez|newspaper=The New York Times|location=El Reno, Oklahoma|date=June 2, 2013|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rebuilding Starts in El Reno |url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11543.shtml |publisher=[[KOKH-TV]] |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6HN5Nt9XR?url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11543.shtml |archive-date=June 14, 2013  }}</ref><ref name="apps.dat.noaa.gov">{{cite web|title=Damage Viewer|url=https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/|website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref> One farmstead, consisting of a large barn, a cattle barn, three machine sheds, granaries and the owner's home, was also completely destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|title=OK Insurance Commissioner Tours El Reno Damage |url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11406.shtml |publisher=KOKH-TV |date=June 3, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609010527/http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11406.shtml |archive-date=June 9, 2013  }}</ref> Several other rural homes were destroyed, and large amounts of gravel was blown off of gravel roads in the area, with only the dirt underneath left at some locations.<ref name="apps.dat.noaa.gov" /> Several large metal electrical transmission poles were downed, trees were snapped and defoliated, and multiple vehicles were tossed from roadways in the area. At least 29 buildings and 40 vehicles were damaged or destroyed by the tornado, with repairs in the El Reno area expected to take at least a year.<ref name="apps.dat.noaa.gov" /><ref>{{cite news|title=El Reno Mayor Foresees Long Road To Recovery After May Tornado|url=http://www.news9.com/story/22658357/el-reno-mayor-forsee-long-road-to-recovery-after-may-tornado|author=Heather Hope|website=[[KWTV-DT]]|publisher=[[Griffin Communications]]|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref>

On June 1, the [[American Red Cross]] set up a shelter at the [[Redlands Community College]] in El Reno for victims of the storm.<ref>{{cite news|title=Red Cross Opens Shelters For Storm Victims |url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11369.shtml |publisher=KOKH-TV |date=June 1, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609002854/http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11369.shtml |archive-date=June 9, 2013  }}</ref> The following day, [[Governor of Oklahoma|Oklahoma Governor]] [[Mary Fallin]] toured damaged areas of El Reno. Due to the tornadoes that occurred previously on May 20, a [[state of emergency]] was already in place for the affected areas, allowing residents to quickly obtain emergency assistance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fallin tours El Reno damage |url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11382.shtml |publisher=KOKH-TV |date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609003416/http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11382.shtml |archive-date=June 9, 2013  }}</ref> Residents left homeless were provided with temporary housing constructed from shipping containers. Each container was fitted with a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom.<ref>{{cite web|title=El Reno tornado victims get unusual temporary housing|url=http://www.koco.com/article/el-reno-tornado-victims-get-unusual-temporary-housing/4293789|publisher=[[KOCO-TV]]|location=El Reno, Oklahoma|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref>

Overall, eight people lost their lives as a result of the tornado, all of whom were killed in vehicles.<ref name="SPCDeaths">{{cite web|title=Annual U.S. Killer Tornado Statistics|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/torn/STATIJ13.txt|website=Storm Prediction Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> Local hospitals in Oklahoma City, including [[University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center|OU Medical Center]] and [[INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center]], and Mercy Hospital in El Reno, reported receiving at least 115 injured, including five critical patients.<ref>{{cite news|title=12 Dead in Aftermath of Destructive Tornadoes|url=http://www.newswest9.com/story/22473969/ap-two-dead-when-tornado-hits-oklahoma-city-area|publisher=[[KWES-TV]]|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="FoxNewsJune2">{{cite news|title=Body of 4-year-old boy found in river after Oklahoma tornado outbreak|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/02/4-year-old-boy-found-in-river-after-oklahoma-storm/|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=June 2, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> Overall, 151 injuries were attributed to the tornado.<ref name="DowngradeandInjuries" />

=== Evacuations ===
[[File:Ground Scar from May 31, 2013 El Reno tornado.jpg|thumb|right|Satellite image of the Oklahoma City area on June 2 displaying the ground scar left behind by the tornado.]]
As the tornadoes approached the Oklahoma City metro, thousands of residents decided to leave the area for safety, possibly due to the still fresh memories of the devastation caused by the [[2013 Moore tornado|EF5 tornado that struck Moore]] on May 20.<ref name="FoxNewsJune2" /> Already congested with rush hour traffic, [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstates 35]], [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|40]], [[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|44]] and [[Interstate 240 (Oklahoma)|240]], became "parking lots" as the storms neared.<ref name="FoxNewsJune2" /><ref name="NBC1">{{cite news|title=As tornadoes neared, drivers hit the road – with deadly results|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/31/18666671-as-tornadoes-neared-drivers-hit-the-road-with-deadly-results?lite|work=[[NBC News]]|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref> Residents reported the highways to be a scene of chaos, "people were going southbound in the northbound lanes. Everybody was running for their lives."<ref name="FoxNewsJune2" /> It has been suggested that the evacuation was partially caused by a controversial call to action on-air by KFOR-TV chief meteorologist Mike Morgan, who suggested on-air during coverage of the storm – as the tornado was projected to track into Oklahoma City – that residents without underground storm shelters or safe rooms get into their cars and evacuate south of the track.<ref name="WashPost" /> This advice was contrary to the recommended plan to go to an interior room, bathtub or closet with no windows if no basement or other underground shelter is available. These locations are typically much safer than an automobile in tornadic winds.<ref name="NOAAsafety">{{cite web|title=Tornado Safety|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html|author=Roger Edwards|website=Storm Prediction Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|year=2013|access-date=June 1, 2013|author-link=Roger Edwards (meteorologist)}}</ref> Dr. Jeff Masters of [[Weather Underground (weather service)|Weather Underground]] stated that had the tornado tracked directly over one of the congested highways, the death toll could have easily exceeded 500.<ref name="wunderblog" />

== See also ==
* [[List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
** [[List of tornadoes with confirmed satellite tornadoes]]
** [[Tornado records]]
* [[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011]]
** [[2011 El Reno–Piedmont tornado]] – An EF5-rated tornado with recorded wind speeds similar in strength to the 2013 storm that impacted areas near El Reno about two years prior

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|2013 El Reno tornado}}
* {{cite conference |first = Joshua |last = Wurman |author-link = Joshua Wurman |author2 = Kosiba, K. |title = Preliminary Results from the ROTATE-2013 (Radar Observations of Tornadoes and Thunderstorms) experiment |book-title = 36th Conf. on Radar Meteorology |publisher = American Meteorological Society |date = September 16, 2013 |location = Breckenridge, CO |url = https://ams.confex.com/ams/36Radar/webprogram/Paper229323.html }}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Wakimoto |first1 = Roger M. |author-link = Roger M. Wakimoto |author2 = N. T. Atkins |author3 = K. M. Butler |author4 = H. B. Bluestein |author5 = K. Thiem |author6 = J. C. Snyder |author7 = J. Houser |author8 = K. Kosiba |author9 = J. Wurman |title = Aerial Damage Survey of the 2013 El Reno Tornado Combined with Mobile Radar Data |journal = Mon. Wea. Rev. |volume = 144 |issue = 5 |pages = 1749–76 |year = 2016 |doi = 10.1175/MWR-D-15-0367.1 |bibcode = 2016MWRv..144.1749W |url = https://escholarship.org/uc/item/13g0p5hk }}
* {{YouTube|id=2NyfsC2jhRU|title=Doppler Radar – El Reno / Union City Oklahoma EF5 Tornado May 31, 2013}}
* {{YouTube|id=IVUHdCGqiSI|title=El Reno OK Tornado with SN Dots|link=no}}
* {{YouTube|id=C34EVyWRZbk|title=May 31, 2013 EF5 El Reno Tornado Showing Multiple Funnels/Sub Vortices Filmed from Dominator|link=no}}
* {{YouTube|id=2CsR04fEBgU|title=Storms of the Great Plains: the El Reno, Oklahoma tornado, May 31, 2013|link=no}}

{{2013 tornado outbreaks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:El Reno tornado, 2013}}
[[Category:2013 in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:2013 natural disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:F3 tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Tornadoes of 2013]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:May 2013 events in the United States]]
[[Category:Satellite tornadoes]]
{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
[[Категория:Английская Википедия]]
[[Категория:Википедия]]
[[Категория:Статья из Википедии]]
[[Категория:Статья из Английской Википедии]]