Strongest Tornado of 2026 Confirmed on Thursday by The Weather Network

An EF4 tornado confirmed as the strongest of 2026 struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday evening, prompting a rare Tornado Emergency from the National Weather Service.

The storm developed between approximately 7:55 and 8:00 PM CDT, when a supercell thunderstorm over the Enid area showed significant rotation and a clear hook echo, indicating tornadogenesis. The National Weather Service initially issued a Tornado Warning with a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” (PDS) tag, which was escalated to a Tornado Emergency by 8:21 PM CDT.

A Tornado Emergency represents the highest level of severe weather alert issued by the National Weather Service, reserved for confirmed, destructive tornadoes impacting populated areas. The last known Tornado Emergency in Oklahoma prior to this event was issued for the Barnsdall tornado on May 6, 2024.

Radar imagery confirmed a dangerous tornado as it approached the city, with officials noting the storm’s long-track potential and significance comparable to historic events such as the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado and the 2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado.

The tornado caused widespread damage and multiple injuries across southern Enid, though specific casualty figures and damage assessments were not detailed in the available reports. Emergency response efforts were underway as damage reports continued to emerge following the storm.

The Weather Network confirmed the EF4 rating as the strongest tornado verified in the United States during 2026 to date, based on official storm surveys and radar confirmation.