Dry For Now, But More Storms on Horizon

Monday, May 11th 2015, 6:52 pm

By: News On 6

On this sunny Monday, Oklahoma meteorologists and residents are breathing a sigh of relief – finally a day of no flooding rainfall or severe weather! May tends to be our wettest and stormiest month in the year and it certainly is living up to that reputation. Take a look at the rainfall totals from the past week in our state. Some places exceeded a FOOT of rainfall thanks to daily bouts of heavy rain and storms. Northeast Oklahoma didn't pick up quite as much, but it's safe to say there's little risk of wildfires and growing drought anytime soon. To the south, flooding issues remain with many rivers and streams cresting at this time. The Poteau River in Leflore County is experiencing a major flood with up to 20,000 acres of farmland flooded from this river alone. Looking beyond Oklahoma, this same storm system brought one to two feet of late-season snow to the High Plains from Colorado to the Dakotas and spawned dozens of tornadoes from the northern Plains to central Texas.

                This powerful system is finally chugging east and we're enjoying the cool, refreshing air behind the front. This air mass will remain in place through Tuesday before moisture begins to creep back on Wednesday. A warm front, awash in moisture, will overspread the state Wednesday. Rain chances return to Green Country in the afternoon and evening. Another inch of rain may fall through Thursday morning with higher amounts into central Oklahoma. Severe weather isn't anticipated but flooded areas right now may take another hit. Two days isn't enough recovery time for the soil to be able to absorb much extra rain.

                Following this warm front, muggy air returns. Rain and storm chances will gradually rise again during the weekend as another strong upper level low digs into the southwest. That induces a wind shear pattern that is supportive of severe weather. Initially, the threat will lie to our west along a dryline. Saturday evening into Sunday, however, another round or two of storms may occur. It's prime time for severe weather here in our state and the ingredients appear to be in place for another rough weekend. The Storm Prediction Center is already showing a risk area over much of the state by Saturday as shown in the attached map. On top of that, rain totals through next weekend may range from 3” to 5”. That means the flood threat will carry on for a while longer.

                In the meantime, soak in the sunshine and tackle that yard work in this respite between storms! For more weather updates, be sure to follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and like my Facebook page!