Relief is on the Way!

The map on the right courtesy of the OK Mesonet shows the total number of days with triple digit temperatures so far this year. Notice in extreme SW OK they continue to add to the record as Grandfield made it 100 triple digits yesterday and will add yet another day today. Some triple digits will also occur in E OK before the day is over, but relief is on the way.

A cool front will be arriving this evening and through the overnight hours bringing brisk northerly winds and much cooler conditions back into the state. Although not much rain is expected with the front itself, it will be stalling out well south of us and at the same time there will be a series of disturbances aloft that will bring clouds and eventually a good chance of rain.

Frontal timing this afternoon will make a huge difference in where the triple digits occur as upper 90s to lower 100s will be common to the south of the boundary and low-mid 90s just behind the boundary. The much cooler air will be delayed by as much as 12 hours or more so look for only a gradual cool down this evening. We should still be in the 60s to start the day on Wed, but cloudy skies and a brisk NE wind will likely keep us in the 70s to near 80 during the day. Thursday could turn out to be rather raw with a brisk NE wind and temperatures near 50 to start the day and only in the lower 60s to end the day. Temperatures will be gradually moderating as we head into the coming weekend.

Perhaps more importantly is that we have a decent shot at receiving some badly needed rain. There may even be a rumble or two of thunder from time to time. Areal coverage is expected to be on the order of 30% for Wednesday but much higher for Thursday and perhaps Friday as well. Not only that, but lingering showers and periods of rain are expected to extend right on through the coming weekend. In fact, the second map on the right shows the QPF valid through Sunday morning and if this verifies, we will have received at least an inch or more of rain by then.

So, hang in there, relief is on the way.

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

Dick Faurot