Alan Crone's Weather Blog: Temperatures Improving Soon

The deep and cold air mass entrenched across most of the nation continues to keep the state of Oklahoma below normal today with afternoon highs in the upper 30s and some lower 40s.   The pattern will change by the weekend allowing a minor, yet noticeable warm-up, with highs in the mid to upper 40s.   Some lower 50s will be in spots Saturday with a westerly surface winds return across the area.   Some data is now trending slightly cooler early next week before our next system arrives sometime Wednesday or Thursday.   A stronger storm may be possible next weekend.

Temperatures this morning will start in the upper 20s and lower 30s with partly to mostly cloudy conditions and light winds across the area.   Some locations on the edge of the cloud cover may experience some patchy fog or a small area of mist.   If the clouds quickly clear the metro before sunrise we’ll see some patchy fog, but the likelihood remains very low.   Most data suggest the clouds will remain for most of the morning before some partial clearing will occur by afternoon.   A light wind from the north or northwest will be likely today with highs in the upper 30s and lower 40s across the northeastern third of the state.

The New Year’s Eve timeline will support temperatures in the lower 30s by 7pm tonight and dropping into the upper 20s near or after the midnight hours.   New Year’s Day supports lows in the lower 20s and highs in the upper 30s and lower 40s along with light north to northeast winds at 10 mph.  

A weak surge of cooler air may arrive Friday into Saturday morning, but by midday Saturday the temperatures should move from 20s into the upper 40s or possibly a few lower 50s with highs Sunday around the upper 40s.    Wind will be from the west Saturday afternoon and from the north Sunday in the 10 mph range.  

Yesterday’s data supported some lower 50s early next week along with south winds Monday into Tuesday, but overnight data suggest a front may slide southward across the northern part of the state bringing light winds but cooler air for the northern sections Monday and Tuesday.    My confidence remains low for this part of the forecast and I’ll only make some minor adjustments to the current forecast for early next week.   EURO data is suggesting much colder air that I currently have plotted for the area.  

All data seem to indicate the next system continues slowing down in the output.   This means our chance for a few showers or storms will be pushed back to late Wednesday into Thursday.   A stronger system may be approaching next weekend.  

Thanks for reading the Thursday morning, New Year’s Eve, forecast discussion and blog.

Have a great day!

Alan Crone