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.   

THIS WEEKEND

High pressure will result in sunny and dry conditions for the entire state Saturday and Sunday.  These conditions will be great for any outdoor activities that you have planned for this weekend.  Saturday's daytime temperatures are forecast to be in the low to mid 70s thanks to sunny skies and light south winds.

Winds will begin to pick up on Sunday and temperatures will reach the mid to upper 70s across most of the state, with southwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle getting into the lower 80s.  While the temperatures will feel nice compared to earlier this spring, the combination of strong winds and dry conditions will create favorable conditions for wildfires to develop and spread quickly Sunday afternoon into the evening.  So, be sure to avoid any activities that could potentially start a fire during the day on Sunday.

EARLY NEXT WEEK

The warm and dry conditions from this weekend will persist into early next week.  On Monday, winds will be out of the southwest allowing temperatures in southwest through central Oklahoma to rise into the low to mid 80s.  The rest of the state is forecast to get into the mid 70s with the exception of the Panhandle where a cold front will keep daytime highs in the upper 60s to low 70s.

This cold front will continue to move through the state on Tuesday, which will result in cooler temperatures than Monday.  Areas to the northwest of I-44 and north of I-40 west of Oklahoma City are forecast to be in the 60s during the day.  Temperatures for areas south of I-40 are forecast to be in the low to mid 70s.  Some areas along the Red River could get up to 80 with plenty of sunshine.  Despite the cold front moving through the state, precipitation chances will remain low with only a 20% chance of rainfall southeast of I-44 later Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

SEVERE WEATHER TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY?

On Wednesday, temperatures are forecast to rebound into the mid 70s to lower 80s.  Areas in the Panhandle will be slightly cooler with temperatures in the mid 60s.  In addition to the warmer conditions, dew points will increase across the state making it feel much more like spring.  With the return of spring conditions comes the return of severe weather.  Currently, the forecast weather conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday indicate that severe thunderstorms are certainly possible.  However, it is too early to focus on any of the details.

Regardless of whether there is severe weather on Tuesday or Wednesday, as we continue to move into April and May the chances for severe weather in Oklahoma will increase.  So, now would be a good time to prepare for the peak of severe weather season by thinking about where you will be getting your weather information and what you should do if threading weather is in your area.  Below are some links to good resources for weather and safety information:




Severe Weather Forecasts:

National Weather Service-Type in your home and state to find the office serving you.
Storm Prediction Center

Safety Information:

Severe Weather Safety -Courtesy of NWS Norman

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out our latest blog posts and forecasts at owl.ou.edu.

From all of us here at the Oklahoma Weather Lab, thanks for reading and enjoy the weekend!

TH

Sources: NWS, SCIPP, SPC