Significantly Cooler Weather on the Way

Summer arrived in full force last week as we dealt with our first heat wave of year. This was the result of an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the region. However, now we have a different weather setup. We are currently situated in the “middle” of an upper-level high to our west, resulting in the tremendous heat wave in the southwestern United States, and an upper-level low to the east, resulting in relentless rainfall and cooler temperatures in the eastern United States. Because we are in the middle of these two distinct weather systems, a deep northerly flow will result, allowing temperatures to be not only cooler than they have been but also cooler than they should be for this time of year. For the upcoming week, we will be seeing highs and lows reminiscent of late May and early June, not late June and early July. So if you feel like spring cheated you, make sure you take advantage of these next few days.


Sunday

For Sunday morning, we will have a mix of sun and clouds with lows in the 60s all across the state. The lows will be in the upper-60s across southwest Oklahoma and in the low-to-mid-60s elsewhere. For the afternoon, skies will remain partly cloudy and temperatures will be much cooler. While we may still see highs in the low-90s across extreme southwest Oklahoma, 90-degree days begin to disappear for the rest of the state. Instead, we will have highs in the upper-80s across the rest of southwest Oklahoma and highs in the low-to-mid-80s across the panhandle, northwest, central, and eastern parts of the state.








Monday

Monday morning brings the chilliest lows for the state to the east, where we will see temperatures drop to the upper-50s. Across the rest of the state, we will see lows no warmer than the low-60s. For the afternoon, the panhandle may see a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny across the state with temperatures remaining unseasonably cool. Highs may be as cool as the upper-70s in western parts of the panhandle and in extreme northeast Oklahoma. For the rest of the state, expect another day with highs only in the low-to-mid-80s.









Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, with skies remaining mainly clear, temperatures could be flirting with record lows. With the exception of the southwest and parts of north central Oklahoma remaining in the low-60s, lows across much of the state will drop down to the mid-to-upper-50s. The current forecast shows Oklahoma City only one degree away from tying a record low of 58 degrees, set back in 1924! Depending on whether or not you enjoy cooler weather, you may want to take advantage of the morning. Afternoon temperatures will still be cooler than average. Again in western parts of the panhandle, we will see highs in the upper-70s. The remainder of the panhandle, northwest, central, and east will have highs in the low-to-mid-80s, while southwest Oklahoma sees highs begin to warm back to the upper-80s.





Wednesday

Expect another day with morning lows in the mid-to-upper-50s across the panhandle and eastern Oklahoma while lows elsewhere reach the low-60s. Skies will be partly cloudy in the morning and also in the afternoon, with the panhandle and western Oklahoma forecast for a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs will warm ever so slightly, but overall we will see little change from Tuesday. We will have the upper-70s in the western portion of the panhandle, with the rest of the state seeing highs in the mid-to-upper-80s.









Thursday

Thursday, which is Independence Day, will continue to bring pleasant conditions. Morning lows will mainly be in the low-to-mid-60s across the state, though we may still see some upper-50s hang around in parts of the east. Skies will be partly cloudy throughout the morning and afternoon, with all of the state expected to see a slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. This will certainly not wash out your holiday plans, however. Afternoon highs will warm to the mid-to-upper 80s across the state, but western parts of the panhandle may still remain in the upper-70s.











Sources: NWS, HOOT