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!

Here is the forecast for the rest of this week and your Labor Day weekend.  This afternoon's temperatures are forecast to be in the upper-90s to low-100s across the panhandle and all of southern Oklahoma.  Northwest and central Oklahoma will see highs in the mid-to-upper-90s today, while northeast Oklahoma sees highs in the low-to-mid-90s.  Skies today will be generally clear, with a few clouds from time to time.  Still, rain is out of the question.

For Friday morning, lows will generally be in the 70s across the state.  Friday afternoon will bring temperatures in the low-100s to the panhandle and all of southern Oklahoma once again.  Central, north central, and northwest Oklahoma can expect highs in the upper-90s, nearing the triple-digit mark, and far northeast Oklahoma can expect highs in the mid-90s.  In northeast Oklahoma, a very slight chance of morning thunderstorms is possible.  Otherwise, skies across this region and the rest of the state will, once again, remain mostly sunny.

While Saturday morning will have lows in the 70s again across the state, be prepared: Saturday's highs will bring widespread triple-digits across Oklahoma.  All of southern Oklahoma and the panhandle will again see another day of 100-degree-plus heat.  However, northwest, north central, and central Oklahoma will also see highs topping out in the low-100s Saturday afternoon.  Heat indices, especially across central Oklahoma, could be in the mid-100s, so please take caution if you are spending time outside.  Far northeast Oklahoma will be the only part of the state not seeing triple-digit heat but will still see highs reach the upper-90s.

On Sunday, change is coming, thanks to a weak cold front that will pass through the state.  Of course, we won't see a drastic change in temperatures until the front completely passes through by Monday, but in some areas of the state, Sunday's highs will be slightly cooler than Saturday's.  Central, north central, northwest Oklahoma, and the panhandle will be out of the 100s and back into the mid-to-upper-90s.  Additionally, a slight chance for thunderstorms is possible across these areas in the afternoon and evening hours on Sunday.  Northeast Oklahoma will see highs in the mid-90s, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms as the front passes through.  Still, southern Oklahoma will see limited rain until Sunday/Monday overnight and highs in the upper-90s to low-100s on Sunday ahead of the front.

So how does Labor Day shape up?  We may continue to see a few storms across parts of northeast Oklahoma, but otherwise, the rest of the state will remain rain-free.  The big story will be the cooler temperatures in central and northern Oklahoma behind the front.  "Cooler" means that highs will be in the upper-80s to low-90s across central and northern Oklahoma.  Skies will be clear to partly cloudy.  For southern Oklahoma, still, the cold front will unfortunately not bring much, as highs remain generally in the upper-90s.

Now let us deviate from the forecast a little.  We've had a stretch of about two weeks without any rain.  The latest drought monitor was released today.  Unfortunately, our dry spell has had a negative effect on the current drought situation.  Some areas across Oklahoma which were out of a drought or in a lower category have been put back in a drought or "upgraded" to a more significant category.  Areas affected are mainly southern Oklahoma and parts of western Oklahoma.  In the graphic to the right, you can see the comparison between last week's drought monitor (August 20) and this week's (August 27).  Continue to conserve water!

Sources: NWS, U.S. Drought Monitor, 11alive.com (photo)