May Ends with… You Guessed it, More Rain

Wednesday, May 27th 2015, 6:28 pm

By: News On 6

May Ends with… You Guessed it, More Rain

As if May hasn't been wet and stormy enough for us, another few rounds of rain and storms are line to further soak the state before we change the calendar to June. Tulsa has already experienced its third wettest May on record and will likely finish second. Even with 4 more days to go, it is already the 7^th wettest month on record of ANY month! How's that for a drought-killer?

                Our reservoirs are feeling the brunt of this ceaseless rainfall with Lake Keystone, Fort Gibson and Tenkiller all 20 feet or more above its normal level. That's definitely not the way lake-goers want to kick off this season. The only really good news is that Lake Skiatook is now just 7 and a half feet below its normal level now and still rising. At this point, any heavy rainfall turns quickly to run-off due to saturated soils. That run-off is what continues to feed our swollen lakes and rivers and leads to flash flooding.

                The active pattern will continue all the way into the weekend with daily and nightly rain chances. The most immediate chance of rain (from when this is written) will be overnight into early Thursday morning as storms congeal to our west and race our way. Another round may fire up and head our way Thursday evening into Friday morning. Rinse and repeat. Friday night into Saturday morning will likely be our most substantial or widespread rainfall as a deeper upper trough shifts into the Plains, forcing a cold front into our area. That focuses storm development closer to our region with more of an opportunity for severe weather. The front should finally slide through the region on Saturday, gradually ending the rain from north to south. We should at least be granted one generally dry day over the weekend on Sunday!

                Between now and then, the another 1” to 3” of rain is expected to fall on our saturated ground. Flooding is a definite possibility. At the very least, the rain will slow the water recession a bit and make it tough to mow our yards until early next week. The attached map shows the rainfall distribution through the weekend.

                The first week in June will likely be drier, but not rain or storm-free. By midweek, that moisture is returning and scattered showers and storms can't be ruled out. Not to mention, it's going to feel like South Texas once that dewpoint climbs and that sun comes out for a while. It won't be a blazing hot start to the summer season, but it sure won't be lacking the “muggies” this year.

                Be sure to follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and like my page on Facebook for the latest updates on rain and storms affecting Oklahoma!