Brief Relief From The Heat

Notice the first map on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet, which shows the change in temperatures over the last 24 hours as of earlier this evening. Obviously, the weak cool front that came through during the day today made a notable change for the more northern counties where the drier, somewhat cooler air and northerly winds were in place for a longer period of time. The more southern counties should get a little relief for tonight and tomorrow as the front continues to slowly sag southward. The second map on the right also shows the high/low temperatures for today and again the difference for the more northern counties is very apparent.

Showers and storms have also formed along the boundary this evening and will be primarily confined to the more southern counties tonight as the boundary sags on southward. Wednesday will then have a bit of a break with a good bit of sunshine for much of the day before a secondary wave aloft moves this way bringing better chances of showers/storms for Wednesday night into the day Thursday. After starting the day near 70 with some upper 60s, afternoon temperatures will reach the upper 80s to lower 90s for Wednesday afternoon which is close to normal.

More cloud cover for much of the day Thursday along with better chances of showers/storms will also keep temperatures in check with morning lows again near 70 and daytime highs near 90. NE winds of 10-12 mph for much of the day Wednesday will become more SE during the day Thursday as the frontal boundary gradually becomes diffuse.

By Friday brisk southerly winds will return which will be followed by a more S or SW direction for Saturday and Sunday. That means the heat will be quickly returning with afternoon highs in the mid-upper 90s and possible a few triple digits by Saturday or Sunday. Also, our nights will be getting warmer with morning lows only in the 70s for that period.

However, as the next two maps on the right shows, the longer range guidance continues to suggest a change in the wind pattern aloft which will allow cooler air to return and temperatures should be averaging below normal for much of next week. In addition to that, the change aloft will also provide better chances of showers/storms for much of next week. If that pattern does indeed verify, then the hot and sultry conditions we will have to endure this weekend will be followed by some relief for much of that following week.

So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot