Spring-Like Weather on the Way Sunday, Monday

Following the winter storm of this past week, temperatures have been unseasonably cool across the state. Well, we have some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that most of the state should see a warm-up with spring-like temperatures come Sunday. Further towards the south, the warm temperatures will stay through Monday. So beware that of that spring fever that may overtake you!

On Sunday, all of the state will enjoy mostly sunny skies. High temperatures will be warmest in the central part of the panhandle and in southwest Oklahoma, reaching the mid-to-upper-70s. In central Oklahoma, you can enjoy highs in the 60s on Sunday. In eastern Oklahoma and in the far northwest, highs may still be a little chilly and not get out of the 50s, perhaps even the 40s in extreme northern Oklahoma, near the panhandle. Sunday night lows will still be on the cool side, with the 30s and 40s for most of the state and sub-freezing temperatures in the far northwest.

On Monday, the southern half of Oklahoma starts to feel the heat, with highs reaching over 80 degrees in extreme south central Oklahoma, including Ardmore and Durant. The 70s will dominate in the rest of the southern half of the state. As a cold front moves through on Monday, the northern half of Oklahoma will see the return of cooler weather, with 50s and 60s for highs on Monday. Some 40s may even penetrate down into the far northwest.

Note that strong, southerly winds will accompany these warmer high temperatures. Sustained wind speeds on Sunday across Oklahoma will be between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. On Monday, southwesterly winds will become northwesterly in the afternoon. Strongest speeds will be in the panhandle as the cold front moves through, blowing at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. Elsewhere, expect sustained wind speeds between 15 and 20 mph, with higher gusts possible.

So what is the bad news? Well, that cold front we mentioned will eventually be pushing eastward across the state and bring dramatically cooler temperatures everywhere. High temperatures will plummet over 20 degrees in some areas as winter-like weather makes its grand return. We will update you with more details on the cold front in a few days as information becomes better available.

Sources: NWS, HOOT