Slow Warming Trend.

Another cold start to our day as the map on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet, clearly shows. This makes two straight mornings of below freezing temperatures which also means the growing season is over. That also means that freeze/frost advisories or warnings will no longer be issued until the Spring growing season gets started.

Below normal temperatures will continue for several more days as mega-storm Sandy continues to pound the east coast and keeps weather patterns stalled for the next few days. The surface high pressure ridge sitting on us will be slowly modifying though allowing daytime highs to reach well into the 50s this afternoon and some locations may even make 60. Keep in mind, the normal temperature range at this time of year is 70/47 for the max/min, so we will still be well below normal for several more days.

In fact, Monday morning should also start off near the freezing mark, but temperatures that afternoon will at least be back into the 60s. The broad circulation around Sandy will also bring another weak surface ridge southward on Tuesday which will keep temperatures from warming up too quickly. Our winds will be somewhat variable in direction today but generally from the NE, light winds overnight tonight, light southerly winds on Monday and then light N to NE winds on Tuesday. Highs on Tuesday will also be in the 60s after starting off near 40 that morning.

After that, temperatures will be getting warmer as the remnants of Sandy eject to the NE allowing for a more progressive flow across the country. That also means our surface winds will be returning to a southerly direction and becoming rather gusty late in the week and for the coming weekend. That should get us into the 70s for daytime highs for the latter part of the week and our nights will only be dropping into the 50s.

However, moisture will be slow to return so our next chance of rain looks to be along about Saturday night or Sunday. There will be some occasional periods of high level cirrus clouds over the next few days, but no rainmakers are in sight until then.

So, enjoy this nice fall weather, stay tuned, and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot