Hazy, Hot, Humid... and Potentially Stormy

The weekend is off to a wet start across much of Green Country. Somewhat like Friday, morning showers and storms are expected to give way to a steam bath in the afternoon. While showers and a few storms continue to fester along the Arkansas River valley here at 10am on Saturday, a gradual clearing trend is expected as we approach the early afternoon hours.

This rainfall may keep temperatures a few degrees cooler in spots, but you better believe the atmosphere will make up for that in humidity. Even yesterday at noon, we were sitting at a cool 80¢ª in Tulsa, but we managed to have a heat index value by late afternoon in the 105¢ª-110¢ª range. Check out yesterday's maximum heat index values... yuck! With incredibly "juicy" air (dewpoints in the mid-70s), I imagine the same kind of sticky heat will build back in the afternoon. Even with partial sunshine, those heat index values (what it actually feels like outside) can be attained on a day like today. This is why the National Weather Service in Tulsa has issued a Heat Advisory until 7pm Saturday.

Rain totals have been generally light in Oklahoma since Friday morning. Just to our north across Kansas and Missouri, flooding is a growing reality with storm complex after storm complex rolling along the same track. The southern fringe of "northwesterly flow" in the jet stream is an area prone to this scenario as summer heat and moisture interact with weak impulses that ride the jet stream and spark storms in a favorable environment for lots of rain. Without any significant change in the jet stream orientation, this scenario can repeat itself day after day. Storms form in the heating of the day out west, congeal, and trek southeastward with a great deal of moisture at the system's disposal.

So, rinse and repeat, literally speaking. A few afternoon storms are possible Saturday, but by Sunday morning, another round of rain and thunder could be rolling into northern portions of Green Country. If your area has seen quite a bit of rain already, be extra cautious Sunday morning following any downpour as flash flooding could easily occur in low-lying locations. The good news for Sunday is that clouds and showers may linger a bit later in the day allowing for cooler temperatures. We still may reach the 90s, but it could be worse this time of year (recalling 2011 and 2012!)

Stay cool and stay dry this weekend. The humidity is in the oppressive category and can be just as dangerous to our bodies as triple-digit heat. It's not often we face humidity like this in August, but it's a nice change of pace from the past few years. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, @GroganontheGO and like my page on Facebook!