Storm Chances by Thursday.

If you have seen the news at all, you are aware of the ongoing wildfire situation that is plaguing parts of our state. Notice the map on the right, courtesy of the good folks at the National Weather Service Office in OKC. Don't know that I have ever seen a fire warning issued for an entire county here in OK.

The next three maps on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet pretty much tell the story. Triple digit heat across the western counties coupled with relative humidity levels dropping into the single digit range and southerly winds gusting to over 40 mph are not a good combination. Fortunately, on our side of the state conditions are somewhat better as the higher humidity levels have helped hold our daytime temperatures into the 80s so despite gusty southerly winds that has mitigated the fire danger somewhat.

More of the same is expected for Wednesday although the humidity levels are expected to be at least somewhat higher for the western counties which should knock at least a few degrees off the daytime highs. On our side of the state, we should have enough cloud cover along with the higher humidity levels for overnight lows to only drop into the upper 60s again tonight, but our daytime highs should be in the mid 80s.

A developing storm system is then headed our way which could produce some showers/storms for the western and central counties late Wednesday but the best shot for most of us still looks to be on Thursday. Cloudy skies and a likely chance of showers/storms should hold daytime temperatures into the 70s which will be a nice break. 70s are also expected on Friday along with a NE wind followed by 80s again for the weekend before a stronger cool front arrives early next week to knock temperatures below normal for a change by Tuesday.

As mentioned, showers/storms are a good bet for Thursday but there will also be at least a slight chance of a shower/storm through the weekend and into early next week. This more unsettled period will also have the potential to drop some decent rains across the state as you can see with the 7 day QPF map on the right. Our side of the state still looks to receive an inch or more of rainfall but our neighbors to the west will unfortunately miss out on most of that. And since this is May, there will be the potential that some of those storms will be severe so will have to keep a close eye on the sky during that period.

In the meantime, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot