Monday Morning Update

The strong cold front is moving away from the state this morning and we're back to cold air today with highs in the mid to upper 40s.  An upper level wave could bring some light precip to the northern third of the area this morning to midday but most of this is expected to stay north of the Tulsa area across parts of Kansas.  We'll continue to carry a chance for some light precip along with gusty north winds and highs around 46. 

The short wave is producing snow this morning across part of the Panhandle region and into southwestern Kansas and extreme northwestern OK.  The short term HI res data suggests most of this wave will gradually lift northeast with time this morning, but we'll continue to see a chance of some light precip across the area.  Even though most of the data keeps most of the precip to the north, we'll not get "too fancy" with specific locations and keep the chance for the northeastern OK region until the early afternoon.   

Tonight the clouds should clear out and the winds will become light allowing temps to drop into the upper 20s and lower 30s.  This will result in some freezing temps for a few hours overnight across the state.  Our friends from the NWS have issued freeze warnings and watches for the region including freeze warnings for the Tulsa metro.  Tropical plants will need to be protected from the cold air late tonight into Tuesday morning.  

Tuesday afternoon the sunshine will result in a big jump with temps nearing 60 to 64 with light winds returning from the southwest by midday and increasing speeds later Tuesday afternoon.

 Wednesday into Thursday gusty south winds will return to the area as another upper level system nears the area.  Once again, we anticipate most of the significant low level moisture will remain too far southeast to increase the severe weather potential.  We should have some showers and maybe a few thunderstorms but the chance of severe weather will stay away from the region for the Thursday system.  The timing will be adjusted as we draw near the event, but the current timing supports late Thursday night into pre-dawn Friday.  This pop will be around 30 to 40%. 

Friday appears pleasant but another system will quickly approach the area Saturday night into Sunday bringing additional shower and storm chances back to the state.  It's too early to make any statements regarding Easter Sunday morning potential but the pattern does not represent a strong system at this point in the forecast cycle.  We'll keep you posted as we draw closer to both systems for the next few days.  Sunday's system will be represented with a 30% chance on the map.  

The official high in Tulsa yesterday was 83 from 3:32pm.

The normal daily average high is 72 and the low is 49.

Our daily records include a high of 94 from 1936 and a low of 31 from 2008, 1957, and 1928.

You'll find me on Facebook and Twitter. 

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

I'll also be on several Clear Channel Radio stations this morning in the Tulsa metro including KMOD and The Twister. 

Thanks for reading the Monday Morning weather discussion and blog.  

Have a super great day.

Alan Crone

KOTV