Thursday Morning Update

Thursday, July 31st 2014, 3:52 am

By: Alan Crone

The upper level system responsible for the rain over the past 24 hours is now exiting the region. A few more showers may persist for the next few hours across far southeastern or east central OK but the threat of the moderate to heavy rainfall will be quickly leaving the area. Some drizzle may persist across the eastern third of the state through midday with cloudy conditions. The clouds may attempt to thin out later this afternoon allowing the afternoon highs to move into the upper 70s or possibly a few lower 80s. Our winds will be relatively light and from the northeast. A few flash flood warnings remain possible through the early morning hours. Please check the red banner at the top of the main weather page for the current information.

The upper level pattern will remain favorable for the cooler air to remain across the region for the next few days. It's even possible we'll see a small shower or two tomorrow into the weekend because of the upper air flow, but the chance will remain very low with the lack of any identifiable lift or system near the area.

We anticipate some patchy fog will be possible Friday morning in a few locations if the clouds will clear sufficiently before sunrise. Temperatures Friday morning should start in the lower 60s or even a few upper 50s across the valleys of Northeastern OK and Southeastern Kansas. Afternoon highs Friday should move into the mid-80s with sunshine and light winds.

The weekend temperatures will begin in the lower to mid-60s for morning lows and move into the upper 80s Saturday and Sunday. The data suggest the wind speeds will be light this weekend. Relative humidity values will be “ moderate” , but temperatures will remain below the seasonal average this weekend allowing for a pleasant weekend. This may increase the temp heat index values giving the region a somewhat “ muggy” feel. The pattern will support slowly increasing temperatures for a few days next week but no excessively hot readings will occur.

Our next upper level system will be moving across the central plains states Thursday and Friday of next week. This should drag a system into the state by the end of next week allowing for additional showers or storms near the region late next week. It's too early to pinpoint the exact threats or specifics, but some " not as hot" air may once again be possible.

We set a new minimum high temperature yesterday. The temp was 78 early yesterday morning before the rain arrived across the region. This was lower than the previous low high of 79 from 1979.

Rainfall in the Tulsa metro ( from Tulsa International Aiport) yesterday totaled 1.77 inches of rainfall.

The normal high is 94 and the low is 73. Records include a high of 112 from 2012 and a low of 51 from 1971.

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I'll be discussing the weather on numerous Radio Oklahoma News network affiliates across the state through the morning hours.

You'll also hear our forecast on Tulsa metro radio stations, including KMOD, The Twister, The Beat, and The buzz. These stations are part of Clear Channel Communications.

Thanks for reading the Wednesday Morning weather discussion and blog.

Have a super great and safe day!

Alan Crone

KOTV