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!

Today was just the beginning of a week full of sweltering summer heat.  Actual highs reached the upper-80s to low-90s across eastern Oklahoma, the mid-90s across central Oklahoma, and the upper-90s to low-100s across the west and panhandle.  But...those heat indices were in the upper-90s across eastern Oklahoma, the mid-to-upper-100s across central Oklahoma, and the low-to-mid-100s across western Oklahoma and the panhandle.  When heat indices reach the 105-degree mark or higher, it is dangerous to be outside, especially for a prolonged period of time.  Now is an important time to remember your heat safety tips.  Drink plenty of water if outside, wear light-weight, light-colored clothing, and take short, frequent breaks in the shade if performing strenuous activities.  Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very dangerous and can lead to serious consequences if not dealt with properly.

A HEAT ADVISORY is in effect for numerous counties across the state, most notably in central, southwest, and much of northeast Oklahoma.  In the NWS Norman county warning area, the advisory is in effect from noon Tuesday through 7 PM CDT Wednesday and has been issued primarily for afternoon heat indices at or above 105 degrees on both Tuesday and Wednesday.  However, there's often more guidelines to be considered when issuing a heat advisory.  According to NWS Norman, a heat advisory is issued when "heat indices at 105 or greater and minimum temperatures of 75 or greater for 2 or more days [are expected] or health officials report increased heat-related illnesses."

In the NWS Tulsa county warning area, the advisory is in effect from 1 PM to 9 PM CDT Tuesday and warns of heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees.  An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING is in effect for Tulsa county from 1 PM Tuesday through 8 PM CDT Wednesday for heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees and overnight temperatures only dropping into the mid-70s.  Whether your area is under a heat advisory, excessive heat warning, or neither, please take steps to protect yourself from the heat this week.  It will be excessively hot across the entire state!

For Tuesday, skies will be sunny, highs will range from the mid-90s to low-100s, and heat indices will range from 105 to 109 or 110 degrees across much of the central and western portions of the state.  Lows into Wednesday morning will only fall to the low-to-mid-70s (with a slight exception in the panhandle where temperatures will fall to the mid-to-upper-60s).  Wednesday afternoon highs will range from the mid-90s across eastern Oklahoma to the low-to-mid-100s across western Oklahoma and the panhandle.  Heat indices, however, will be in the mid-to-upper-100s across central and western Oklahoma.

Thursday and Friday may provide slight relief from the heat as heat indices generally reach the low-to-mid-100s.  This is still dangerous heat, however, and afternoon highs will continue to be in the 90s and 100s through the end of the week.

AC

Sources: NWS Norman, NWS Tulsa, Mesonet