Nice Election Day Weather.

Those showers and t-storms during the overnight hours, this morning, and into the afternoon dropped some significant rainfall totals for some parts of our state. Notice the 24 hour rainfall map on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet. The clouds, showers, and a northerly wind behind a weak frontal boundary also kept temperatures on the mild side for this time of year as the second map on the right, also courtesy of the OK Mesonet clearly shows. Our normal temperature range at this time of year is 90/70 so anytime we can be lower than those numbers is usually a good thing.

The recent rainfall is particularly noteworthy when you consider where we were before we entered this relatively wet spell. Keep in mind, this was one of the driest starts to a calendar year on record until the latter part of May, then the rains finally started. Notice the third map on the right, also courtesy of the OK Mesonet, which shows how much above normal our precipitation has been since May 21 which is basically when this wet period started. Again, these rains have been a real blessing, but many locations are still way behind on their rainfall for the year. Despite more than ½" here in Tulsa just today, we are still more than 8" behind for the year so that extremely dry start has been difficult to eradicate so far.

And, it is not over yet. Although Tuesday looks to be largely between systems with only a very slight chance of a few late afternoon showers/storms, another round looks likely for Wednesday into the day Thursday before things start drying out in time for the weekend. As the 5 day QPF map on the right shows, there is still the potential for another inch or more of rain, but the axis of the heaviest amounts will be shifting elsewhere.

Since Tuesday will be basically between systems, we should have more sunshine and after a mild start with morning lows in the 60s, daytime highs will be in the 80s to near 90 that afternoon. Patchy late night and early morning fog will also be possible due to light winds and the damp conditions but will quickly burn off as the sun rises.

Easterly winds on Tuesday will be followed by increasing southerly winds beginning Wednesday and rather breezy southerly winds right on through the weekend. With abundant surface moisture already in place, that will lead to a hot, humid weekend with daytime highs climbing back into the lower 90s and heat index values likely approaching triple digits. Our nights will also be warmer with morning lows in the 70s as the weekend arrives. The longer range guidance continues to suggest above normal temperatures and near to below normal rainfall prospects for that following first week of July.

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

Dick Faurot