Tornado outbreak of May 22–23, 1981

A total of 43 tornadoes were confirmed during the two-day outbreak, of which 14 were recorded as strong or violent (F2 or greater on the Fujita Scale).

The outbreak resulted in no fatalities and only 12 injuries from a tornado that touched down near Clinton, Oklahoma, which caused significant damage.

Later that day, the low clouds broke as predicted by forecasters as the dry line moved east into western Oklahoma.

The second thunderstorm moved northeast, causing some concern among officials and forecasters as the storm was heading directly towards Oklahoma City.

The second thunderstorm produced 6–12 tornadoes across a wide area stretching from Fort Cobb Reservoir to Union City.

It reached F4 status as it passed east of town, and maintained F4 strength as it crossed SH 37 until it dissipated near the Canadian River.

[3] After the Binger tornado dissipated, a complex of severe thunderstorms regenerated further west across west-central Oklahoma near Foss Reservoir.