A Taste of Fall, But no Touch of Rain

Who thought we'd see two mornings in a row of record LOW temperatures just days after another streak of triple-digit heat??? It's quite a reversal we've experienced in Oklahoma, but there are signs we may flip back to more summer-like heat next week. Still, the mild conditions are with us through the end of this week with persistent northerly flow, keeping us cool and dry.

Temperatures dipped to 39º in Bristow Wednesday morning. This is in stark contrast to the 103º high from the 1st of September. If my math is correct, that means we have seen a temperature swing of 64 degrees in the first week of September. Wow! These cool temperatures have sent many to find their jackets, which have been buried away for months now. Aren't you glad you didn't end up donating that jacket after wondering if summer would ever end?!

Virtually no one is complaining about the cool-down, but the bad news with this pattern is that it keeps us dry. Despite cooler temperatures, fire danger can be very high. Our ever-drying vegetation is potential fuel for any fire that could start. Make sure to heed the ongoing Burn Bans as dry weather with bouts of windiness could create serious problems. Texas knows this all too well.

While the Southern Plains remain parched, the East Coast is being inundated with rain, thanks in part to the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. This is leading to major flooding in areas that just saw a record wet month in August. I'm pretty sure I speak for anyone in Oklahoma when I say we'd gladly take that excess water off their hands.

Is there any sign of improving drought-conditions over the next couple weeks? The latest outlook for precipitation is not a good one for the Southern Plains. The map above shows our below-normal chances for seeing rain in the next 8-14 days.

Meanwhile, the Tropics remain very active. Katia is a weak hurricane that will not directly impact the United States. This long-lived tropical system will continue to turn more northerly as it eventually pushes away from the U.S. mainland. Newly-formed Tropical Storm Maria bears watching as it takes a more westerly route into the Caribbean. Finally, a tropical disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico could turn into "Nate." The path Nate could take is uncertain at this time.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO – for more of my weather and life updates!