Heat Wave Hangs On

Sunday, August 24th 2014, 7:04 pm

By: News On 6

Summer decided to finally stick around here in the last stretch of the season. While summer doesn't officially end for nearly four more weeks, our average temperature is now dropping day by day. Our forecast has certainly not reflected that through the weekend into part of the week ahead.

                For the third day in a row, Tulsa hit the century mark. This late-season heat wave still pales in comparison to what we endured a few years back. These lower 100s would have been the “cool-down” at that time. Nevertheless, the heat is still on and most students are back in school. Afternoon athletic practices and outdoor work will take a greater toll on our bodies with heat indices approaching 105° until midweek. To make matters worse, this is a stagnant air mass. There is very little wind expected for the week ahead. This will make it harder for our bodies to cool outdoors so be mindful of that – it isn't factored into the heat index values!

                This ridge of high pressure (what we've been calling the Heat Dome) will gradually breakdown this week. Just yesterday, it appeared enough energy in the jet stream to our north would glide across the Plains to send a cold front through the region by Thursday. Now, that impulse is a little less certain and our computer models are less aggressive with a push of cool air. Thus, the heat may hang around a little longer than first anticipated.

                Even if we don't switch to a north wind, our temperatures will likely cool in response to added clouds and a few showers and storms that may form later in the week. Even if it's not a sweeping cold front, a small trigger in the upper levels of the atmosphere should allow for late-week showers and storms. It may mean a wetter start to Labor Day Weekend, but highs closer to 90° versus 100°. I'll take it! Even beyond the unofficial end to summer, the heat may linger into September. The latest 8-14 Day Outlook keeps Oklahoma locked into warmer-than-normal temperatures.

                We're also nearing the peak of Hurricane Season. While it has been a lackluster start, we have a new Tropical Storm named Cristobal. It's sitting over the southeast Bahamas, but its northerly movement is expected to continue. Even with strengthening, it will likely stay well off-shore of the U.S. coastline.

                Stay cool and don't let your guard down in this late season heat. Be sure to be cool and follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and like my page on Facebook!