There's a Front Coming!

Ah yes.  As the strong upper-level ridge breaks down, we are approaching the time of year where we typically see cold fronts once every week.  Our first "significant" front of the approaching fall season is now arriving.  The front is working its way into the panhandle and will progress across the entire state over the next couple of days.  With it will be an increased chance for rain as well as much cooler temperatures.

Back to School: A Hot, Dry Week Ahead

While "summer" in the sense of being free from school and classwork may be coming to a close, the season of "summer" is not.  We're expecting a typical summerlike week for back to school, with mainly sunny skies and high temperatures reaching the middle to upper 90s and even the lower 100s across the state.  With higher humidity levels, heat indices may reach the lower to middle 100s.  Make sure to take it easy this week if heading outdoors.

Déjà Vu? Heavy Rain, Cooler Temperatures Ahead

Similar to what occurred a couple of weeks ago, we will be seeing another dramatic pattern shift as a strong cold front ushers in cooler temperatures and a decent chance for rain across the state.  The best timing for rain will be later tonight, through Wednesday and Wednesday night, and into Thursday morning.  Rain will then taper off from west to east, and skies will clear up by Friday and remain generally clear through the weekend.

Blast of Extreme Summer Heat This Week

Below-average, record-breaking cool temperatures from the past week may seem like nothing now as they have quickly turned into a blast of extreme summer heat this last full week in July as a strong ridge of high pressure sets up over the central United States.  Sure, highs in the 90s and even 100s are not uncommon in Oklahoma in late-July.  But what about heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees?  When heat advisories have been issued for much of the state, you know it is going to be hot!

Summer Heat Returns This Week

Unseasonably cool temperatures as a result of a strong surface cold front due to an upper-level trough had Oklahomans thinking fall may have arrived early this year.  After a cool work week, a typical summerlike pattern will resume this upcoming week with a strong ridge of high pressure in place aloft.  This will allow temperatures to return to their typical levels for mid-to-late July.

Heavy Rain, Unseasonably Cool Temperatures Ahead

The cold front has passed, and temperatures have cooled behind it.  However, the front is expected to stall out near the region, increasing rain chances through the end of the work week.  Additionally, high and low temperatures will be well below normal for what we would expect in the middle of July.  After this week, a summerlike pattern returns with lots of sunshine and highs back into the middle-90s.

The Week Ahead: Rain, Cooler Temperatures

Extreme summer heat will be coming to an end as early as tomorrow for most of the state as a strong cold front associated with a trough pushes southward into Oklahoma.  Today was nothing short of a scorcher as highs in the 100s stretched across parts of southwest and central Oklahoma. Oklahoma City, however, did not reach the century mark today.  The official high at the airport was 99 degrees, meaning that the city still has not reached 100 degrees so far this year.  The average first day for Oklahoma City to reach 100 degrees is July 9.  Despite Oklahoma City not reaching 100, surrounding cities in the central Oklahoma area did.  According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, Kingfisher reached a high of 100 degrees, with Norman, Shawnee, and Guthrie reaching a high of 101 degrees.  More triple digit heat will not be expected in at least the next week across these regions due to the approaching cold front.  Temperatures will be anywhere between 10 to 20 degrees below average!

Strong Cold Front to Usher in Cooler Air Next Week

News has quickly been spreading about an upper-level trough that will bring unusually cool air to the Plains and Midwest next week.  What you're hearing is true.  A strong cold front as a result of the trough will bring a major temperature swing from this weekend into the middle of next week as very warm summer-like temperatures turn into those reminiscent of early fall across Oklahoma and range 10 to 20 degrees below normal.  Some areas could even flirt with some record lows on a couple mornings.  It's a good thing this cold front is happening during the summer; a similar pattern setup during the winter would likely bring a winter storm and a prolonged period of below-freezing temperatures to much of the state.  Luckily, we're still a few months away from something like this happening.

Storms to Follow Intense Heat

We're now a week into the summer season, and the heat is on.  Though daytime highs in most cases have actually been near or below normal, hot and humid conditions are leading to heat indices well into the 90s and 100s.  This hot weather will continue for another day before a couple of rounds of thunderstorms roll through Monday night into Tuesday and then Tuesday afternoon and evening into Wednesday and further drop the high temperatures.

Storms Firing, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

A line of severe thunderstorms which formed across the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles earlier this evening is currently expanding across northwestern Oklahoma.  These storms are moving east at 45 mph and have a history of producing 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.  The storms will continue to push eastward with additional development likely farther towards the south.  We are also watching a line of storms in central Kansas that will extend farther south and move into northeastern Oklahoma later tonight.  These storms have a history of producing 60 to 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center covering central, north central, and northwestern Oklahoma through 4:00 AM CDT Thursday.  Please be weather aware.

Potential for Severe Weather Wednesday, Thursday

A low pressure system and a cold front will push across Oklahoma Wednesday evening and overnight.  We will also see a dryline develop across west Texas.  This setup will fuel the development of strong to severe thunderstorms beginning Wednesday evening across western Oklahoma and lasting overnight for the rest of the state as the storms push eastward.  Please be weather aware during this time period.

More Severe Storms Expected Tonight, Tomorrow Night

A front that has been stalling out across Oklahoma is responsible for two rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms that occurred Thursday night into Friday morning and then Friday night into Saturday morning.  As this front will hang around for the next couple of days, we will continue to see a similar situation in which a large complex of storms forms across western Oklahoma and pushes eastward.  Threats from such a set-up include damaging wind gusts and large hail.  However, we cannot rule out a few embedded tornadoes in this line of storms.  In addition, some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall exceeding 2 inches.  This will lead to flash flooding and will be extremely dangerous.  We urge you to remember your flood safety tips, especially if you have travel plans tonight.  Turn around, don't drown!

Severe Weather Possible Over Next Several Days

May was an unusually quiet month for Oklahoma in terms of severe weather, but it looks like June may be picking up on some of the slack. Beginning tomorrow and lasting through the beginning of next week, parts of Oklahoma are at a risk for severe thunderstorms.  The severe threat shifts each day and covers different parts of the state, but as of right now it looks like northern Oklahoma is the primary target zone for this multi-day severe threat.

Drought Buster? Not Exactly.

An upper-level low slowly moved across the southern Plains these past several days, bringing much-needed rainfall to Oklahoma and surrounding states.  Due to the scattered nature of the showers and thunderstorms that this system brought, the rainfall totals varied widely across the state.  The highest rainfall amounts were across drought-stricken western Oklahoma.  Unfortunately, even with all this rain, a great deal of the state is still in a drought, with exceptional drought still present in parts of western Oklahoma.

Thunderstorm Chances Continue for Oklahoma

Over the past few days, much-needed rainfall has fallen over portions of the state, especially drought-stricken western Oklahoma, as the result of a very slow-moving low pressure system.  As this system continues to drag eastward, thunderstorm chances will continue throughout the week, albeit the chance for thunderstorms will diminish by mid-week.  The best chance for rain will be on Monday and Tuesday, where heavy rainfall is possible with some storms, especially on Monday night.

Rain Soaks Western Oklahoma, More to Come

 

Much-needed rain has fallen over western Oklahoma and the panhandle this morning and afternoon.  The rain will continue to push eastward later today and tonight.  This will not be our only chance for rain; in fact, rain is in the forecast across the entire state for the next seven days, though chances diminish after mid-week.  Our best chance for rain will be in the latter part of the weekend to the early part of next week.  Unfortunately, this does include Memorial Day, so some of your outdoor holiday plans could be a washout.

Beneficial Rainfall Coming to Oklahoma

As a slow-moving low pressure system arrives from the west, signs are pointing to a good chance for all of Oklahoma and the surrounding southern Plains states to receive a good deal of rainfall over the next several days.  The highest rainfall totals are expected in areas which need the rain most, namely western Oklahoma and adjacent north Texas.  While all of this rain will certainly not be enough to completely wipe away the worsening drought conditions in these areas, it will certainly help alleviate the drought for the time being.  This will be welcoming news as more than one-third of the state is now in the exceptional drought category.

Severe Weather Follows Year's First Heat Wave



As a strong ridge of high pressure set up over the Plains earlier this week, most of Oklahoma and the entire southern Plains baked, with high temperatures rising to the 90s and even 100s across parts of western Oklahoma.  In many cases, this heat was record-breaking, as Oklahoma City faired three consecutive days of record highs Sunday through Tuesday when afternoon temperatures soared into the 90s.  The heat became more tame after a cold front pushed through the area, bringing a round of severe thunderstorms Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  Today, we are sitting generally around average for this time of year, with highs expected to reach the low-80s across the state.  Another heat wave will arrive this weekend, though, and then be quickly be replaced by significantly cooler weather come Monday and Tuesday as a powerful cold front pushes through the state.  Severe weather will be possible ahead of the front.

Oklahoma's First Heat Wave is on the Way

After a week of cool temperatures, rain, and severe weather across the country, Oklahoma will now experience extremely hot and dry conditions for the weekend and into next week. While today the high was only in the mid 70's, Sunday and onward will see high temperatures well into the 90's, and possibly up to 100 for some areas of Oklahoma.

Abrupt Warm-up to Follow Cool Wednesday, Thursday

Following much cooler weather today, we will continue to see below-average temperatures through Thursday.  Then, an abrupt warm-up comes on Friday in which high temperatures are expected to rise between 10 and 15 degrees.  High temperatures will be very warm over the weekend and into next week, with the 90s likely across much of western Oklahoma and the panhandle.  Skies during the extended forecast period will be sunny, with no rain expected.

Severe Weather Potential for the Weekend

While conditions are warm and dry right now, much of Oklahoma will see Thunderstorm chances over the weekend, with some storms having the potential to become severe and bring dangerous hail, winds, and possibly Tornadoes.

April Showers Will Bring May Flowers

Across Oklahoma expect some chances of rain for the weekend, particularly Sunday, before the state warms up and feels like spring next week.

Next Cold Front Arrives Thursday

After sub-freezing temperatures occurred across all of Oklahoma this morning and a record low of 27 degrees was set at Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport (breaking the old record of 30 degrees set in 1928), temperatures rebounded quickly this afternoon to the 60s across the state.  Another generally warm day can be expected on Wednesday before a cold front sweeps through the state on Thursday, bringing cooler temperatures and additional rainfall.  No severe weather is expected at this time.

Statewide FREEZE Expected

Following the passage of a strong cold front across Oklahoma yesterday and clear skies with light winds expected tonight, temperatures will fall below freezing across all of the state tonight into Tuesday morning.  Freeze alerts are currently covering the state, with a HARD FREEZE WARNING in effect for the panhandle and western Oklahoma, and a FREEZE WARNING in effect for central and eastern Oklahoma.  The average date for the last freeze in Tulsa and Oklahoma City is March 29-30.  As a result of this late-season freeze, plants and other tender vegetation may be killed if left unprotected overnight.  Please take precautionary measures to protect your plants and crops immediately.

UPDATE: Severe Weather to Strike Oklahoma Sunday

Ahead of a strong cold front, strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to fire up across central and eastern Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon.  The highest threat area is in a small part of northeast Oklahoma that includes the Tulsa metro area.  Risks from Sunday's storms include large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes.  Please stay weather aware tomorrow, especially if you have outdoor plans.

Severe Weather on the Eve of the Blood Moon

With another front coming through towards the end of this weekend, get ready to deal with some rain,  severe weather, and much cooler than normal temperatures from Sunday into early next week. The

main severe threats for Sunday will be hail and high winds.

Wildfire Threat and Rainy Weekend

When most people think of spring they thing of rain, yet this spring is starting out to be a dry one for Oklahoma. Due to the dry conditions there will be a increased threat for wildfires in the next few days with Wednesday having the highest risk of wildfires. The risk will be highest on Wednesday because the air will be relatively dry and there will be strong winds allowing the smallest fire to spread rapidly. In the next few days burning is highly discouraged. 

Sunday will give us a break from the dry conditions with a chance of rain and thunderstorms as a cold front will be moving through the state that day. 

Temperatures for the remainder of the week will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

As the cold front moves through the state Sunday, temperatures will start to decrease making Monday's high in the low 60s.

April Showers Expected This Weekend

US Drought Monitor for April 1, 2014

DROUGHT UPDATE

This Thursday the latest United States Drought Monitor was released and did not have good news for Oklahoma. Extreme and exceptional drought continues for southwest Oklahoma and portions of the Panhandle.  Meanwhile, portions of north-central and western Oklahoma are now experiencing severe drought. Much of Oklahoma will see chances for rain showers during the course of the weekend. However, rainfall totals through the weekend will remain less than a quarter of an inch. The extended outlook into late next week keeps most of Oklahoma dry. Therefore, no improvement for areas currently experiencing drought is expected in the short term.

UPDATE: "Significant" Severe Weather Still Likely

We are still watching out for the possibility for severe thunderstorms on Wednesday, as well as on Thursday.  Areas in central and eastern Oklahoma need to be on the lookout for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms that will fire up ahead of a dryline that will be positioned in western Oklahoma Wednesday afternoon.  The warm front is expected to lift into northern Oklahoma near the Oklahoma-Kansas border, and conditions will be favorable for significant severe thunderstorm development.  Hazards will include very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and the chance for isolated tornadoes.

ATTENTION: Severe Weather Possible This Week

Springtime is here in Oklahoma!  Temperatures have warmed up, and we are closely monitoring the possibility of severe weather across the state on Tuesday through Thursday as the result of a stalled warm front near southern Oklahoma that will slowly lift northward through central Oklahoma and a dryline that will set up across western Oklahoma and slowly push eastward throughout the week.  With plenty of moisture and some surface heating, enough instability will be provided in the atmosphere to cause severe thunderstorms to fire up.  As this has the potential to be our first significant severe outbreak of the year, we want you to be prepared and have a plan when severe weather strikes. 

Spring Weather Returns to Oklahoma

After what has seemed like a never ending winter, the weather is finally beginning to resemble spring time.  Today's temperatures in the low to middle 60s are near average for late March.  Some areas of eastern Oklahoma are also experiencing thunderstorms that have produced large hail. The next five days will continue to feature spring weather throughout Oklahoma and bring a chance for severe weather during the middle of next week.   

Possible Rain on the Eve of Spring Break

While everyone in Oklahoma enjoys the calm warm weather, residents should expect some fluctuation starting tonight and moving into the weekend. Hopefully your spring break went well, because some colder weather is on the way.

Expect a Rainy Weekend Before Spring Break

Although right now temperatures are warm and pleasant, expect a rainy weekend (especially Saturday) before spring break. Currently temperatures are in the mid to upper 60's for most of the state, with low 70's along areas near highway 44. This is caused by a cold front moving in through the state from the northwest, which is now closing in on the central part of the state. There are some high winds in the western part of the state, which will help contribute towards today's fire danger. There are some patchy clouds in the southeast, as well as the southwest, but as of now most of the state is seeing clear skies.

Warm Weather Will Not Last

It's a beautiful day today!  Oklahoma City, currently sitting at 81 degrees, has officially recorded its first 80-degree day since October 11, 2013 - exactly five months ago.  A great deal of the state has had highs reach the 80s today, with one exception: northwest Oklahoma and the panhandle.  Now comes the bad news.  We hated to be blunt in our title, but unfortunately the truth is that the passage of a cold front later this evening will bring an end to the above-average, late-springlike temperatures we have been experiencing over the past couple of days.  The front is already passing through the state and has reached the panhandle and northwest Oklahoma, accounting for the cooler temperatures.  The good news is that we are not expecting any wintry weather or maximum temperatures in the 30s, but do expect highs across most of the state at this time tomorrow to be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than they were today.

Special Story: Below Average...Since October!

For Oklahoma City and Tulsa (and their respective metro areas), the past several months have been two things: cool and dry.  For both cities, February marked the fifth consecutive month with an average observed monthly temperature finishing below normal and, for Oklahoma City, the sixth consecutive month with total monthly precipitation finishing below normal, while for Tulsa the seventh consecutive month with total monthly precipitation finishing below normal.  It may be hard to believe that we're talking about such a rainfall deficit since 2013 marked the second wettest year on record for Oklahoma City, with 52.78 inches of rainfall recorded.  Unfortunately, most of that precipitation was picked up in the first half of the year.  However, Tulsa on the other hand finished 7.88 inches below the normal precipitation last year, with only 33.09 inches being recorded, and is therefore desperate for rain.

Winter Weather Tonight and Saturday, but then Spring!

While conditions are pleasant right now, some more winter weather is on its way for tonight and early  Saturday. Fortunately for Oklahomans, it won't be nearly as bad as the storm last weekend, and temperatures will quickly recover into the glorious 70's early next week.

Gloomy Week Ahead. EXCEPT FRIDAY!!!

Just when you thought the winter weather was over, a cold arctic blast blew through this past Sunday, with 2 inches of ice recorded in some places. But don't put your winter clothes away yet!  We expect more wintry weather on the way for tomorrow. A 40% chance of wintry mix tomorrow afternoon and freezing rain or snow is posable tomorrow night for the north and central part of Oklahoma.  Don't worry, as this weather shouldn't stay much longer.  On Friday temperatures are suppose to be in the 60s!  This weekend looks like it will be a gloomy one with Saturday and Sunday both being cloudy with temperatures between the upper-40s and lower-50s. Saturday will have a 50% chance of rain, and on Sunday there will be a 20% chance of rain.

UPDATE: Complex Winter Storm to Impact Oklahoma

Even though the "meteorological spring" has officially begun, a winter storm is poised to strike a great portion of the central and eastern United States, including Oklahoma.  In addition to the winter weather will be bitterly cold temperatures with biting wind chills through the start of the work week.  So find that winter coat, the gloves, and anything else to keep warm; you're going to need them!

ALERT: Another WINTER STORM Ahead!

Enjoy the mild weather while it lasts, because Oklahoma is about to experience the wrath of another winter storm. While there were some fairly cold days in Oklahoma this past week, most of the state will see its coldest temperatures of the month Sunday and Monday. So, if you're in a part of the state experiencing pleasant weather today or tomorrow, enjoy it while it lasts.

Cooler Weather is Here...For Awhile

The passage of a cold front yesterday evening brought high temperatures today that were some 10 to 15 degrees cooler.  As with yesterday, northern Oklahoma remained colder than central and southern Oklahoma.  This will not be the case tomorrow, as much of the state will be seeing highs in the 50s.  However, on Tuesday, a stronger cold front will sweep through the state, bringing the return of a couple of days with highs in the 40s across Oklahoma.

Spring-Like Conditions Will Be Short Lived

The past week in Oklahoma has been an excellent one, weather wise at least. The temperatures have remained well above normal throughout the week, but enjoy it while you can, as a small cold front will start to move through beginning early next week.

It Looks Like Punxsutawney Phil Was Wrong This Year...

Finally, as promised, the warm weather is here at last! Additionally the warm weather looks like it is here to stay well into next week, so no need to worry about this being a temporary break from the cold. Highs in the 60s and 70s will be the norm across Oklahoma in the coming week, which will allow people to wear t-shirts and shorts for the first time in weeks.

Here Comes the Warmth!

We've had to deal with winter long enough, haven't we?!  The arrival of February brought an abrupt change in the weather pattern, with several rounds of wintry weather that impacted Oklahoma as well as bitterly cold temperatures.  To describe roughly the first half of this month, we could use terms such as cold, dreary, snowy, and icy, just to name a few.  Well, that is all going to change in the coming days.  The return of a ridge of high pressure to the central and western states will bring significantly warmer temperatures over at least the next week to Oklahoma.  And we are not talking about temperatures that are near normal.  We are talking about temperatures running at least 10 degrees above normal in the 60s and even 70s!  So beware: spring fever may settle in!

More Wintry Weather Expected This Week

Following four systems that brought snow to parts of Oklahoma this past week, a couple of rounds of wintry weather are expected across the state early this week.  From tonight through Monday, there is a chance for some light wintry precipitation to fall across the state.  Monday night into Tuesday will bring the chance for more significant wintry precipitation to parts of Oklahoma, with some snow accumulations likely in parts of the state.  Unfortunately, models are having a difficult time with the Monday-Tuesday system, so it has been a challenge to predict accumulations and exact track of the storm.  Any trend farther to the north or south with the low will have significant implications on the outcome of the event.  Here are the forecast details presented as of now.  You will want to check back with the National Weather Service serving your area later tonight and tomorrow for updated forecasts.  We will try to post an updated blog post later in the day tomorrow informing you of these changes.

Oklahoma! Where it's Colder than Sochi, Russia

The past couple of weeks have been filled with snow and bitterly cold temperatures, and unfortunately for Oklahoma, the next few days won't be much better. Although hope is on the horizon late next week, the conditions within the next few days, especially early next week, will bring sub-freezing temperatures along with some snow chances.

Friday to Bring Cold Temperatures, Additional Snow

The third round of winter weather brought snow to a large portion of Oklahoma Thursday morning and early afternoon and even spread farther south into parts of north Texas.  The highest amounts were recorded along a line from southwest Oklahoma through central Oklahoma at 2 to 3 inches.  Surrounding areas from this line recorded a dusting to 2 inches.  You can see the snowfall accumulation map from this system for central and western Oklahoma here.

WINTER WEATHER: Round 3

Today's blog post is filled with lots of information, so have fun reading!

Think it was cold today?  Well, you would certainly be correct in saying so.  In fact, we have provided two maps from the Oklahoma Mesonet below just to show you how cold it has been. The first shows today's minimum temperatures and the other shows the minimum apparent temperature as a result of strong winds creating bitter wind chill values.  A lot of numbers are missing on the second map due to the fact that some of the Mesonet wind vanes still have ice on them from Tuesday's winter storm, interrupting their functionality.  When temperatures rise above freezing (which won't be until the weekend), the ice will melt, and the vanes will start to function again.

Dry on Wednesday, But Extremely COLD

Following two winter storms, Oklahoma will be taking a break from the winter weather on Wednesday before more wintry precipitation is expected Thursday through Saturday.  However, this does not mean that the state will be getting a relief from the cold.  A strong arctic front will be pushing into the state later tonight and into tomorrow, bringing exceptionally cold air and dangerously low wind chill values.  We will now give you the latest forecast details regarding this arctic blast.

WINTER WEATHER: Round 2

Round 1 of a winter storm brought a large swath of snow, some heavy, to central and southern Oklahoma.  A large snow gradient was observed with this system.  For example, areas north of the Oklahoma City metro area saw as little as only a trace of snow, while areas towards the south of the metro picked up as much as 4 to 6 inches of snow.  Extreme southwestern Oklahoma and far north Texas picked up the most snow from this system, with totals between 8 and 12 inches.

January 2014: A Tale of Two Seasons

Let's play a game!  For $100, would you say that January was warm or cold?  If you guessed either warm or cold, you win, though cold would be the "better" answer.  Now, for another $100, would you say that January was wet or dry?  Here, there's only one correct answer, and that's dry.  So, how did you do?  (Disclaimer: Unfortunately, we are not permitted to actually give away money, but we thank you for playing anyway!)