Relief is in Sight.

Yippee! Relief is in sight. That is for those of you who really do not care for this early taste of summer we have been experiencing over the last few days, and that obviously includes me. Notice the map on the right, courtesy of the OK Mesonet, which shows the high temperatures for Friday. Triple digits are already showing up in SW OK and our corner of the state was well into the 80s. Keep in mind that the normal temperature range at this time of year and for the Tulsa area is 56/77 for the low/high respectively.

At least we did not set a record this morning as the clear skies and light winds actually allowed early morning temperatures to drop into the 60s to start our day. However, lots of sunshine throughout the day should push afternoon temperatures back well into the 80s if not 90 for some locations. That will be close to a record for afternoon highs. The only limiting factor is that our surface winds are expected to be from a more SE direction at 15-25 mph this afternoon and typically we need a more S to SW wind to realize our maximum heating potential.

Sunday will be unusually warm as well with morning lows near 70 and daytime highs in the upper 80s to near 90 once again. The limiting factor for temperatures on Sunday is that we should have more cloud cover with mostly cloudy skies as a general rule. The approaching cool front is not expected to arrive till around sunrise Monday morning, so it has been delayed somewhat from the earlier guidance. Most of the showers and storms are expected to be associated with it should hold off till late Sunday night and through the morning of Monday. However, if any storms can break through the capping inversion aloft Sunday afternoon, they would quickly become severe so there is a slight risk of severe storms from late Sunday through the overnight hours.

The rest of the coming week looks to be much more seasonal with respect to temperatures. Brisk northerly winds during the day Monday should result in a short thermometer with morning temperatures in the 60s and afternoon highs in the 70s. Monday will also have mostly cloudy skies and that chance of morning showers/storms.

Tuesday will have NE winds, partly cloudy skies, lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are also expected to have morning lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s to near 80. There may also be a slight chance of showers for the more southern counties as the wind flow aloft and some residual moisture could combine for a slight chance of rain.

All in all, a nice break from what has been some record breaking heat over the last few days. As always, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot