Two tornadoes, a hulking main twister and a smaller satellite funnel, put on a jaw-dropping show over open country near Braman, Oklahoma on Thursday evening. The rare pairing was caught on live storm video and later logged by weather officials.
According to the National Weather Service's preliminary Local Storm Report, at 7:07 p.m. CDT a tornado was recorded roughly 4 miles west-southwest of Braman, and the entry specifically notes "tornado as well as a satellite tornado." The report, which lists its initial source as "Broadcast Media," also corrects an earlier estimate of the tornado's location.
Video from local storm crews shows the two funnels interacting before one circulation ultimately takes over. As reported by News 9, storm tracker Mason Dunn captured the moment when the twin twisters appeared to combine, and channel tracker Val Castor filmed a funnel touching down in Kay County. KOCO meteorologist Michael Armstrong also posted footage of a large funnel tracking west of Braman, so viewers had multiple live angles on the same wild scene.
What Is A Satellite Tornado?
A satellite tornado is a smaller twister that forms near, and can orbit, a larger tornado while still belonging to the same parent supercell, the Storm Prediction Center's tornado FAQ explains. On rare occasions, two tornadic circulations can interact or merge, with the weaker vortex getting absorbed into the stronger one.
The Braman sighting landed in the middle of a busy stretch of Oklahoma severe weather. KOCO notes that storms earlier in the week produced two confirmed tornadoes in Kay and Osage counties and pushed the state's 2026 tornado tally well above the seasonal average. Meteorologists say springtime dynamics will keep the region on alert for more storms over the coming days.
The National Weather Service described its Local Storm Report as preliminary and said survey teams will follow up to map tornado tracks and assess any damage. At the time of publication there were no immediate confirmations of major injuries, and local officials along with the NWS are expected to post further updates as field checks wrap up.
