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.