January 2015: A Tale of Two Seasons

One can use the phrase "A Tale of Two Seasons" to describe nearly any month in Oklahoma.  This phrase can especially be applicable during the winter months, and ironically, we wrote a post last year about January 2014 being "A Tale of Two Seasons."  But January 2015 was special in its own way.  For the first fourteen days of the month, perhaps you thought that this winter would be brutally cold and that spring could not get here quick enough.  After all, those fourteen days reported average temperatures which were generally well below average.  But then a pattern change occurred, and suddenly the average temperatures were above normal.  This lasted through the end of the month, including a stretch of three record-setting high temperature days at Oklahoma City during the last week in January.  This blog post will explain the temperature anomalies in January and why they occurred.

There's a Front Coming!

Ah yes.  As the strong upper-level ridge breaks down, we are approaching the time of year where we typically see cold fronts once every week.  Our first "significant" front of the approaching fall season is now arriving.  The front is working its way into the panhandle and will progress across the entire state over the next couple of days.  With it will be an increased chance for rain as well as much cooler temperatures.

Back to School: A Hot, Dry Week Ahead

While "summer" in the sense of being free from school and classwork may be coming to a close, the season of "summer" is not.  We're expecting a typical summerlike week for back to school, with mainly sunny skies and high temperatures reaching the middle to upper 90s and even the lower 100s across the state.  With higher humidity levels, heat indices may reach the lower to middle 100s.  Make sure to take it easy this week if heading outdoors.

Déjà Vu? Heavy Rain, Cooler Temperatures Ahead

Similar to what occurred a couple of weeks ago, we will be seeing another dramatic pattern shift as a strong cold front ushers in cooler temperatures and a decent chance for rain across the state.  The best timing for rain will be later tonight, through Wednesday and Wednesday night, and into Thursday morning.  Rain will then taper off from west to east, and skies will clear up by Friday and remain generally clear through the weekend.

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!

Summer Heat Returns This Week

Unseasonably cool temperatures as a result of a strong surface cold front due to an upper-level trough had Oklahomans thinking fall may have arrived early this year.  After a cool work week, a typical summerlike pattern will resume this upcoming week with a strong ridge of high pressure in place aloft.  This will allow temperatures to return to their typical levels for mid-to-late July.

Heavy Rain, Unseasonably Cool Temperatures Ahead

The cold front has passed, and temperatures have cooled behind it.  However, the front is expected to stall out near the region, increasing rain chances through the end of the work week.  Additionally, high and low temperatures will be well below normal for what we would expect in the middle of July.  After this week, a summerlike pattern returns with lots of sunshine and highs back into the middle-90s.