Heat Returns for the Labor Day Weekend.

What a disappointment. Although the rains from the late night and early morning hours were rather widespread, they were certainly on the wimpy side for most of us as the first map on the right shows, courtesy of the OK Mesonet. This system was particularly disappointing in view of how much rain it had produced for our more western neighbors over the preceding several days as the second map on the right shows. Although there is still a chance of some showers and locally heavy storms for the rest of the afternoon and through the overnight hours, they will be rather spotty with the chances of any one location receiving measurable rainfall on the order of 30%. A few showers/storms will also be possible during the day Saturday, particularly for the more eastern counties, but again those will be rather spotty with the chances only on the order of 30% once again.

Another system will be coming our way late Monday into early Tuesday, but it looks like it will stall out in KS so that its primary influence should be for the extreme northern counties. After that, nothing organized is expected so except for the possibility of one or two rogue showers/storms over the higher terrain locations, much of this forecast cycle will be a dry one.

That also means that after a brief break in temperatures today, the rest of the 7 day forecast will see temperatures soaring much above normal. The wild card will be how much cloud cover we have on any given day. For example, mostly cloudy skies should result in daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s on Saturday. After that, more sunshine should result in daytime highs in the low-mid 90s for the rest of the forecast cycle. Also, our nights will be on the warm side with upper 60s to low 70s this weekend and generally in the 70s for much of next week.

Light southerly winds up to 10 or 12 mph on Saturday will be stronger for Sunday and Monday with winds on the order of 10-20 mph or more at times. Those southerly winds will maintain the much warmer than normal conditions and will also keep the dew point temperature generally in the 60s to around 70. In other words, still hot and humid late summer conditions with heat index values close to 100 at times.

Also, the long range guidance for the 8-14 day period also suggests temperatures will average above normal through that time period along with only near normal precipitation. Notice the last two graphics on the right valid for that 8-14 day time period. In other words, although climatologically speaking temperatures typically are falling at this time of year, it looks like summer will hang tough for at least another week or two.

So, stay cool, stay tuned, and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot