Dick Faurot's Weather Blog: Flash Flood Watch Through The Weekend

As you can see from the first map, courtesy of the OK Mesonet, rainfall today was once again generous for some sections of the state, particularly the more southern sections. And when you look at the rainfall totals over the course of the past 30 days, which is the second map, it is obvious that this has certainly been a very wet period and it is not over yet.

So far for the official observing location at the airport in Tulsa, this month now ranks as the 4th wettest on record. And more rain is on the way, as a series of waves will be moving over the state, generally from west to east, for Saturday and again on Sunday.

Notice the third map, which provides a reasonable estimate of the rainfall potential through the weekend, and it is no wonder that flash flood watches are in effect right on through Sunday.

Although a few spotty light showers will be possible overnight tonight and to start the day Saturday, the main event will be developing in the western counties during the early afternoon and moving eastward. Those storms will have some severe potential, primarily wind and hail, but the greater threat continues to be flooding rainfall. They should be reaching E OK during the late afternoon and extending into the overnight hours before starting to rain themselves out by early Sunday morning.

That will be followed by another round of showers/storms developing pretty much on top of us for Sunday and eventually moving eastward with another flood threat, and possibly a few severe storms mixed in for good measure. As we head into Memorial Day itself, the pattern aloft is expected to weaken somewhat and fewer showers/storms are expected for any outdoor activities that may be planned. However, those storms that do form will once again pose the potential for some severe weather and local flooding issues.

As you can see on our forecast page, have had to keep a chance of showers/storms on each day through the coming week although the chances on any given day have been reduced somewhat. Even so, advise keeping a close eye on the sky as those showers/storms that do form may be trouble makers.

The very cool conditions of the last few days will be replaced by warm and humid conditions after the weekend. Normally we would be in the lower 60s at night and the lower 80s during the day, but we have been well below those numbers lately.

Even so, the month is still running a bit warmer than normal. For much of next week, we expect to be at or above normal, with respect to temperatures, due to brisk southerly winds and with the wet soils and lush vegetation, that will add up to very warm and humid conditions.

A weak cool front may arrive by next weekend to provide a bit of a break in the warm, humid conditions and perhaps a break in the daily dousing as well, we can hope, although the 8-14 day outlook graphic continues to suggest a wetter than normal pattern for much of the country.

So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot