Temperatures WILL Rise, Hot Start to Weekend

Due to increased cloud cover from an upper-level low situated over southern Texas the past couple of days, high temperatures across Oklahoma were slightly cooler than previously forecasted.  However, with a pattern change ahead, bringing a ridge of high pressure to the region, high temperatures will be on the rise through the early weekend.  Combining this with high humidity levels, which may have fooled you into thinking the highs over the past few days were warmer than they actually were, we are looking at a warm start to the Labor Day weekend.  Therefore, spending time out by the pool or lake would probably be a good idea this weekend.  However, no matter where you are spending your time this weekend, even if near a body of water, if you are outside, then stay hydrated!

Turning HOT This Week

2013 seems to be a year of procrastination for the seasons.  Remember how the beginning of May started off with temperatures in the 40s across Oklahoma, how late severe weather season "officially" began, and how we seem to be off to a slow start with a predicted above-average Atlantic hurricane season?  Now here we are, less than a month away from the end of summer, with average temperatures supposed to be slowly decreasing.  However, the forecast shows just the opposite, due to a strong upper-level ridge in place over the region.  High temperatures will be unusually warm for at least the next seven days, with some high humidity levels as well.  Additionally, a healthy chance of rain is not in sight for the foreseeable future across the state, which is providing a danger to the return of extreme and exceptional drought conditions.  With the exception of a few pop-up afternoon showers here and there over the past week, the state has remained relatively dry since last Thursday evening and Friday morning when a bow echo dove southward across Oklahoma from Kansas.  These hot and dry conditions we have been enduring recently and will endure for at least the next week are more typical of an Oklahoma summer, something we should have experienced for the month of July and early August.  So, again, we are officially getting our "summer," albeit a little late to the game once again.

Rainfall Update

With all the recent rains, perhaps you are wondering how we are doing in terms of our current totals and, more significantly, the drought.  The latest drought monitor shows some significant improvement across a lot of the state, but rain-free days in the forecast ahead may not be a welcoming sign.  In this blog post, we will look at the current month-to-date totals across the state and then examine the drought.

ALERT: Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Possible Tonight

A slow-moving to stationary frontal boundary is expected to bring flooding rains to northern and central Oklahoma from tonight through Tuesday afternoon and evening as it tracks southward.  We already have rain in eastern Oklahoma that is slowly pushing eastward out of the state, but more storms are expected to develop later this afternoon.  The FLASH FLOOD WATCH has been expanded to include new counties in central and northwest Oklahoma, including Oklahoma County.  This is in effect until late Tuesday night.  The original watch remains in effect for numerous counties in northeast, north central, and parts of southeast Oklahoma through Tuesday evening.  Heavy rain is a strong likelihood with the storms but so is severe weather, including damaging wind gusts and large hail.  Please be alert for the next couple of days, especially if you have outdoor plans.  Flooding is very dangerous.  Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown!

Dog Days Are Over

You probably know the saying (and maybe even the song), but could it be true?  The past couple of weeks have been filled with all kinds of weather: more extreme heat and strong to severe thunderstorms bringing beneficial, but in some cases flooding, rains to parts of the state, especially northern Oklahoma.  As we look to the forecast for the week ahead, we will continue to see rain chances through next weekend with more severe weather possible early in the week.  However, the biggest story will be a relief from the heat as a relatively strong summer cold front pushes through the state by mid-week.  Therefore, as students prepare to go back to school this week and next, temperatures should be on the cooler side, although rain may be a complicating factor for move-in plans.