Roller Coaster Ride with Temperatures this Week.

We have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride with respect to temperatures as the map on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet, shows temperatures today are running as much as 20 degrees or so warmer than 24 hours ago. However, our day started off on the chilly side as the second map on the right shows temperatures were quite cool first thing this morning.

Wednesday will also start off on the chilly side as a weak frontal boundary is sliding across the state this afternoon. That will bring brisk NW winds for the rest of the day today but the winds will quickly subside with the setting sun and the clear overnight skies and relatively dry air will again result in morning lows near 40 which is cooler than normal. A heavy dew is also a good bet due to the light winds, fair skies, and temperatures dropping to the dew point which may also result in some patchy valley fog.

Sunny skies on Wednesday and a quick return to a more SE wind should produce temperatures back near the 70 degree mark so a nice rebound. But, not for long as a stronger cool front will push through Wednesday night bringing cooler conditions once again. Brisk NE winds for Thursday will counter-act the sunny skies with a daytime high expected to be in the upper 50s to near 60.

High pressure will be sitting pretty close to on top of us by Friday morning setting the stage for the possibility of another frost/freeze to start the day. Look for morning lows to be in the low-mid 30s, somewhat similar to this past Saturday.

During the day Saturday, we will see an increase in cloud cover as a weak disturbance aloft passes overhead in the NW flow aloft. It could even wring out a few passing sprinkles, but is not expected to amount to much more than that. Temperatures will be moderating through the weekend with highs well into the 60s Saturday and quite possibly the lower 70s for Sun/Mon. Gusty southerly winds will also be developing by Monday in advance of a stronger system that looks to be moving across the state in the following days.

There is some uncertainty regarding the exact timing/strength of this next system as the main energy aloft may cut off to our west. At any rate, look for the early part of next week to be more unsettled with the potential for a more significant weather system followed by a more significant cool-down by mid-week.

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

Dick Faurot