Yet Another Cold Front Expected for Weekend

As indicated by the above graphic, there is a central divide in the country's weather conditions.  To the right of the divide the air is relatively moist while to the left, or behind, the divide there is very dry air.  This divide denotes a frontal system moving easterly across the United States.  Oklahoma should expect to experience products of this front as we move into the weekend, including temperature drops and pleasant outdoor conditions.

Cold Front Brings Fall-Like Weather, Beneficial Rainfall

The season of fall has arrived.  For Oklahoma, this typically means weekly cold fronts that not only knock temperatures down some 10 to 20 degrees but also bring widespread, beneficial rainfall to what is currently a drought-stricken state.  Such was the case with Saturday's cold front, which slowly pushed across the state from early Saturday morning through Sunday morning, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms.  Rainfall amounts ranged anywhere from less than half-an-inch to over 3 inches in some areas.  The Mesonet map above shows the totals recorded during the passage of the front.

Wet Weekend on the Way

It's been a long, dry week, but you better get your rain boots and umbrella ready! As the weekend arrives, so do some healthy chances for rain for most of the Sooner State. Today's brisk, southerly winds have begun pumping warmer, moist air into the region, allowing the atmosphere to ripen with moisture which translates into some pretty decent rain chances statewide.

Roller Coaster of Temperatures to End the Week

The current weather picture shows moderate winds from the northwest. This is thanks to high pressure near the Oklahoma panhandle and a low pressure to the northeast. These two interactions are causing the moderate winds we are experiencing today. We are basically experiencing the "Santa Ana" winds that California experiences from time to time.

Fall Finally Arrives

This weekend not only promises pleasant skies, but also marks the official start to the 2013 fall season!  The late-week cold front brought some welcome rain to many residents across the state. Over the last 2 days, most areas saw anywhere from a light sprinkle to heavy rains. As you can see from the graphic below, residents of Broken Bow in southeast Oklahoma saw nearly 2.5" of rain while those further west near Hollis, OK saw barely 0.02".

Cold Front on the Horizon



The current radar picture shows a cluster of showers and thunderstorms across portions of southwestern Oklahoma. The movement of this cluster of storms is to the northeast and we can expect to get a bit of this in Norman later today into tonight. 

Warm Weekend Before a Wet Start to Next Week

Through the rest of the evening, rain chances will mainly be confined to the western and southwestern portions of the state while areas further east will remain mostly dry. The cool front that made its way through the state yesterday will continue to sag further south toward the Red River region.