Summer Pattern Continues… For Now

After our record-breaking cool spell straight out of October last week, summer has returned with a vengeance. For the second day in a row, an Oppressive Heat Warning will be in effect for Tulsa. The actual air temperatures are rather close to normal for mid-late July, but we’re paying the price for the rainfall from last week as extra moisture is now in the air. It’s visible in the haze and even more apparent when you step out your door. This mugginess is being realized as heat indices betwee...

Tuesday, July 22nd 2014, 10:48 pm

By: News On 6

After our record-breaking cool spell straight out of October last week, summer has returned with a vengeance. For the second day in a row, an Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect for Tulsa. The actual air temperatures are rather close to normal for mid-late July, but we’re paying the price for the rainfall from last week as extra moisture is now in the air. It’s visible in the haze and even more apparent when you step out your door. This mugginess is being realized as heat indices between 100° and 110°. See the first map for Tuesday’s maximum heat index values. Will we get a break?

                The short answer is yes. However, the worst is still yet to come. Wednesday is going to be another toasty one. A cold front will approach the region during the day, but a warm nose of air caused by westerly, downsloping winds will cause our temps to quickly soar. Early afternoon should be the hottest for Tulsa before slightly cooler air pushes into the area. A round of rain and storms may even impact parts of eastern Oklahoma. The next map shows the most likely zone for rain or storms. Any storms that form in the afternoon are capable of locally damaging winds. However, the overall severe threat is very low.

                This cold front is coming with very little cold air. What is left of the front will push northward as the heat dome expands back into the region for the rest of the week. That means our temperatures could push ever-so-close to the century mark by late in the week. Find a nice body of water for the weekend or at least some A/C. The Center of the Universe Festival will likely see dry weather, but the heat will cause strain to concert-goers if they don’t take it seriously. Be smart about the heat!

                Fortunately, another cool snap will occur early next week. A deep trough in the jet stream over the Great Lakes will send a more potent cold front into Oklahoma, replacing the stifling heat with a refreshing air mass. Rainfall chances will initially be limited, but, like last week, the jet stream pattern will send a wave or two of energy to spawn widespread rain by midweek (as it appears now). It may not result in highs in the 60s, but temperatures may run a good 10° below normal for much of the week. Those longer range outlooks can be seen in the final two maps. Even more remarkable, next week and the following one is climatologically the hottest time of the year. Any chance to skip on the worst heat potential is welcome news to me!

                Stay cool and follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and like my Facebook page!