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.

Tonight
Lows will remain above freezing across all of the state, except for McCurtain County, where a FREEZE WARNING is currently in effect for a low that will flirt with the 32-degree mark overnight.  A FROST ADVISORY is currently in effect for a few counties in far eastern Oklahoma tonight into Wednesday morning as well.  You will want to protect sensitive crops and plants if your area is under the warning or advisory, as leaving them exposed may kill them.

Wednesday
Expect mainly sunny skies across Oklahoma, with temperatures expected to rise back to near-normal levels.  Our warmest highs will be across southwest Oklahoma in the mid-70s.  The rest of western Oklahoma will see highs in the low-70s.  Central Oklahoma will see highs in the upper-60s to low-70s.  Eastern Oklahoma and the panhandle will see highs in the mid-to-upper-60s.

Strong winds are expected to occur on Wednesday.  This, combined with low humidity levels and the generally warm afternoon temperatures, will, yet again, lead to an enhanced wildfire threat.  A FIRE WEATHER WATCH is already in effect for counties in southwestern Oklahoma.  However, all areas of western and central Oklahoma, even parts of the northeast, should take steps to prohibit outdoor burning as strong afternoon winds from the south blow between 15 and 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, minimum relative humidity values range from 15 to 35 percent, and afternoon high temperatures fall in the 60- and 70-degree range.

Wednesday Night
The cold front begins to enter the state Wednesday night, dropping the panhandle's temperatures down to the upper-30s with a slight chance for rain showers.  No wintry precipitation is expected at this time.  The rest of the state will see lows on Wednesday night ranging from the low-to-upper-40s, with the warmest lows generally occurring across central Oklahoma.  Cloud cover will increase across the state on Wednesday night.


Thursday
A decent chance for rain will occur across northern and parts of central Oklahoma.  Rain chances decrease farther south.  Coldest highs will occur in the northwest, not making it out of the 40s.  Elsewhere, highs may not be terribly cold but still a good 10 degrees below average for this time of year.

After Thursday's cold front, Friday through the weekend will start an immediate warming trend that will bring the return of the 70s and even 80s to the state.  This trend of warm temperatures will last through the work week.

AC

Sources: NWS, Mesonet, Google Images (photo)