El Reno tornado, 31 May 2013Photo: Simon Brewer and Juston Drake · Source. WebP conversion; aspect ratio preserved.
- Location
- Southwest to southeast of El Reno
- Official rating
- EF3 Damage-based rating
- Local time · CDT (UTC−5)
- 6:03–6:44 pm, 31 May 2013
- UTC · same date
- 23:03–23:44 UTC
- Time on the ground
- About 40 minutes
- Track length
- About 16 mi / 26 km
- Maximum width
- 2.6 mi / 4.2 km
- Reported casualties
- 8 fatalities · 26 injuries
Structure & motion
A multiple-vortex tornado with intense smaller vortices inside its circulation. Its path turned sharply; forward speed exceeded 50 mph (80 km/h) before slowing dramatically near I-40.
Why EF3 with much stronger radar winds?
NWS reports mobile RaXPol measurements of at least 295 mph (475 km/h) near the surface in small sub-vortices. These missed structures suitable for higher damage ratings. Those measurements came from research radars, not the KTLX scans shown here.
The EF scale estimates winds from damage. EF3 corresponds to estimated 3-second gusts of 136–165 mph (219–266 km/h); it is not a cap on every wind within this tornado. NWS scale guide ↗
About the timing
The NWS event table gives 41 minutes. Other NWS accounts end the track 1–2 minutes earlier. The times above follow the table.
Event facts: NWS Norman event review & tornado table ↗