Wednesday Morning Update

Good morning and welcome to the Wednesday morning weather discussion and blog.   Yesterday's weather was very nice with clear sky, light wind, dry air, and near normal temperatures.  Our high temperature in Tulsa yesterday was 90 degrees.  The dry air located across northern Oklahoma, southern Kansas, southwestern Missouri, and northwestern Arkansas will allow temps to drop into the upper 50's and lower 60s this morning.   Afternoon readings today will move mainly into the lower 90's with light wind and sunny conditions.  Due to the expected weather conditions this afternoon, and ozone alert is underway for the Tulsa Metro.  Ozone is needed in the upper levels of the atmosphere to filter out harmful ultraviolet rays, but ozone in the lower levels of the atmosphere is unhealthy.  Individuals with sensitive respiratory issues may be affected by ozone levels this afternoon.  Today is the 4th house on alert day this season for the Tulsa Metro.   

 The weather pattern will remain rather uneventful, but temperatures will continue to climb for the next several days.  The mid-level Ridge of high-pressure currently located across the Intermountain West will expand East work over the next several days.  The result will be increasing temperatures both for morning lows and daytime highs.  These readings by Thursday through the weekend will result in above normal temperatures.  Some of our neighbors located across far southern Oklahoma in North Texas may experience near 100 degree temperatures.  Higher dew point temperatures will remain well south of our area for the next several days, but some increase in moisture is expected by the weekend.  Temperature heat index values are not expected to reach criteria level.   

 We are observing some signals in the extended model data that the ridge of high-pressure will slide eastward and weekend by the end of next week.  This may allow a trough to slide across the northern part of the country including the Upper Midwest beginning Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  A surface cold front will move into the central portion of the nation during this time.  Current indications will keep this front north of our area, but there may be a few showers and storm eventually in our forecast for the end of next week.  At this point, however, we see no major storm systems for our area during the next 7 to 10 days.   

 We continue to find a few disturbances from the Gulf of Mexico into the Eastern Caribbean this morning.  So far these disturbances are well below tropical storm status.  Will keep you posted on any developments in this area. 

 The official high temperature in Tulsa yesterday was 90 degrees recorded at 3:09pm.  The normal high temperature is 89 and the normal low temperature is 67.  Our daily records include a high of 107 from 1998 and 1947.  The record low is 46 from 1974.   

 You will find me on Facebook and Twitter.   

 I'll be discussing our state wide and regional forecast on numerous Radio Oklahoma News Network affiliates this morning through the early afternoon. 

 Thank you very much for reading the Wednesday morning weather discussion and blog. 

 Have a super great day!

Alan Crone