Spring Fever Before Winter Returns

There is quite a bit of sickness already going around, and we all might succumb to a case of Spring Fever in the days to come. We escaped the worst of the most recent Arctic blast and we're already seeing that air mass retreat to the east. Following this cool and cloudy spell, temperatures will steadily be on the rise.

On this Friday afternoon, temperatures are near-normal for this time of year. The first change will come in the winds – they switch to the south on Saturday, allowing warmer to expand northward. On Sunday, a warm front passes through, enhancing the warmth, even on a cloudy day with showers. By Monday, the south winds are in full force ahead of a strengthening storm system to our west. Each day will be incrementally warmer by almost 10°. That leaves us with highs in the 70s on Monday afternoon. Wow! The temperatures level out by Tuesday as a strong cold front pushes into the area. After a possible round of strong thunderstorms (especially east of Tulsa), temperatures will tumble back to winter-like readings for Oklahoma.

The rainfall prospects through early next week aren't great, but we do have several opportunities for at least light rainfall totals. The evolution of next Tuesday's system is still a bit in question. If it sweeps through quickly, our chance of rain and storms is minimal. If the cold front waits till late Tuesday to move in, we could have some gully-washers on our hands. Unfortunately, that could come along with the first severe weather of 2013.

Old Man Winter isn't leaving for good. He'll return by next Wednesday as Arctic air spills southward into the state. The attached map shows the below-normal temperatures expected as we start off the month of February. Some computer models even hint at another wave of energy passing through the region next Thursday. The lift, moisture, and cold air *could* lead to a bit of wintry precipitation. We'll need a few more days to see if those ingredients do indeed come together for such an event. We're certainly overdue for some snow!

In the meantime, savor our taste of spring. I hope you're enjoying our new WARN Weather Center as well. Before too long, we'll be really breaking it in with winter or severe weather! Be sure to follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and "like" me on Facebook!