Hot & Humid Again, Cooler by the Weekend.

Notice the max/min temperature map on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet. At least on our side of the state there were no triple digits, but temperatures were still well above normal. Speaking of triple digits, notice the second map which shows the maximum heat index or apparent temperature as it is labeled. The combination of heat and humidity still made it feel like triple digits and unfortunately, more of the same is expected for Thursday.

A brisk SSW wind may allow the dew point temperature to drop below 70 which would certainly be better than today as the dew point remained in the low 70s all afternoon. Even so, the actual air temperature will be back into the mid 90s most locations so that the heat index value will likely approach triple digits once again.

But not for much longer. Friday is looking like a transition day as a rather strong cool front will arrive during the day shifting our winds back to northerly by late afternoon. Temperatures should still reach the low-mid 90s ahead of the boundary and the heat index may reach the upper 90s before the wind shift. But, this system will be followed by much cooler conditions for the weekend. In fact, daytime highs will struggle to make it to 80 Saturday afternoon as we should be in the 70s for most of the day. Sunday will also be in the lower 80s after starting off that morning in the low 60s as compared to the lower 70s we will have for the next couple of mornings. This will be a brief cool-down as a return to southerly winds will quickly warm things back up to above normal, more summer-like readings as we head into early next week.

There will also be a decent shot at showers or storms as the front moves through late Friday followed by lingering showers or storms on Saturday. The available guidance is coming in a little wetter so it looks like at least a 50% chance of any one location receiving measurable rainfall during that time period which would include the middle of the day Saturday for you football fans. Sunday into early next week will be back to partly cloudy skies and right now that time period looks to be dry.

But, an even stronger system is taking shape along about the middle of next week bringing another chance of showers/storms to be followed by even cooler conditions. In fact, this system may be the precursor to a pattern change that would allow us to finally see a more prolonged period of below normal temperatures in the extended outlook. Notice the 8-14 day outlook for temperature and precipitation which are the last two maps on the right. Starting to look like the return to summer-like readings for early next week may be the last gasp for summer for us. Sure hope so.

In the meantime, stay cool, stay tuned, and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot