Summer Returns.

Those early morning temperatures of the last couple of days were certainly pleasant.  Notice for example the morning lows this morning across the state, courtesy of the OK Mesonet.  No records but still mighty nice. 

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However, the high pressure ridge that brought in the drier, milder air has shifted eastward and the return to southerly winds helped warm things up considerably today.  Upper 80s to around 90 were common except for the more SE counties where clouds and a few showers helped hold temperatures down. 

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Notice also the 70+ degree dew points over the more SE counties as of late this afternoon.  Unfortunately, that more humid air will be spreading northward and will make most of this week feel more like summer once again with hot, humid conditions as a general rule.

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For tonight and into the day Tuesday, a disturbance aloft along with the return of the low level moisture will result in cloudy skies by morning and at least a chance of showers and perhaps some thunder to start the day.  That also means temperatures will be much warmer with overnight lows around 70 northern counties and lower 70s elsewhere.

Cloudy skies to start the day should break out somewhat with at least some afternoon sunshine and daytime temperatures will be in the upper 80s to near 90.  Southerly winds will be rather gusty at times at up to 20 mph or more during the afternoon hours.  Scattered showers/storms will also continue into the afternoon hours but not everyone will get wet as the chances of any one location receiving measurable rainfall will be on the order of 30%.

Wednesday looks to be between systems and the hottest day of this forecast cycle.  A gusty S/SW wind of 15-25+ mph under partly cloudy skies should push our daytime highs into the mid 90s after starting off that morning in the mid 70s.  Right now, it looks it will also be one of the few days with no mention of rain.

Thursday will also have southerly winds but a little more cloud cover, so will keep daytime temperatures in the lower 90s.  There will also be at least a chance of a few showers/storms in advance of a weak frontal boundary that is expected to arrive that night or early Friday morning.  As you can see on our forecast page, this system will not bring with it the nice, mild conditions we enjoyed this past weekend.  There will only be a brief break on Friday before winds return to a southerly direction and we start warming back up over the weekend.  Also, Friday will have another decent chance of showers/storms followed by fewer chances going through the weekend and into early next week.

With the exception of Wednesday, at least the rest of this forecast cycle will be a bit below normal with respect to our daytime highs.  Normal at this time of year is 93/71 and drops to 90/68 by the end of the month.  But, looking further ahead, the 8-14 day outlook now suggests temperatures averaging at or above normal and precipitation chances below normal.  That would take us into early September and suggests we are not through with summer just yet.  Even so, triple digit air temperatures are not foreseen during that time frame.

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So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot