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.
For the rest of this afternoon, expect high temperatures to rise into the upper-70s to the mid-80s further south. Plentiful sunshine can be expected. For tonight, expect gorgeous weather for any commencement exercises; skies will be mostly clear, with lows falling to the mid-50s to mid-60s; cooler temperatures in the upper-40s will occur across the panhandle.
Saturday brings the return of the 90s to a great deal of the state, including the southwest where highs will soar the mid-90s, and northwest and central Oklahoma, where highs should reach the low-90s. Elsewhere, expect highs in the mid-to-upper-80s. Please note the elevated fire danger across western Oklahoma on Saturday due to dry conditions, strong winds, and warm temperatures. Note that a BURN BAN is currently in effect for numerous counties across western and central Oklahoma.
Plentiful sunshine can be expected on Saturday, with skies generally remaining clear for Saturday night. However, be cautious of a few isolated storms that may develop during the later evening hours on Saturday across central and eastern Oklahoma. Confidence in storm development is low at this point, but any storms that should develop have the potential to produce large hail and strong wind gusts. Additionally, the Storm Prediction Center has outlined a SLIGHT RISK on Saturday to include central/north central and northeastern Oklahoma. Do not let your guard down.Temperatures will remain unusually warm on Saturday night. Except for the panhandle's upper-40s and low-50s, lows will only drop to the mid-60s to low-70s across Oklahoma Saturday night into Sunday morning - perfect for outdoor activities! (Just keep your eye on the sky for any developing severe thunderstorms.)
Sunday's highs will be slightly cooler than Saturday's, rising to the low-to-mid-80s. Southwest Oklahoma will continue to bake in the low-to-mid-90s, however. On Sunday afternoon, please be aware that the hot and unstable conditions could lead to severe storm development. The highest probability for severe storms is in western Oklahoma, although the Storm Prediction Center has outlined a SLIGHT RISK for severe thunderstorms for all of central and western Oklahoma, as well as parts of the northeast. Storms will be isolated supercells at first and have the potential to produce very large hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes. Storms will then form into clusters and march eastward across the state. This severe activity is also possible Monday afternoon ahead of a strong cold front that will push through. On Tuesday showers and thunderstorms will linger in eastern Oklahoma during the morning, with skies rapidly clearing behind the storms and associated cold front. Afternoon temperatures will be significantly cooler, however, only rising to the upper-60s to low-70s.Make sure to stay safe this weekend, and use good judgment in regards to the heat, wildfire threat, and severe storms. Things are starting to ramp up across Oklahoma. After all, it is May!
AC
Sources: NWS, SPC, Mesonet
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