Hot and Humid, with a Few Showers Thrown In.

Mentioned this yesterday, but worth repeating again today. The state is on the verge of breaking all-time records for hottest summer and most number of days with triple digit temperatures. The map on the right courtesy of the OK Mesonet shows the total number of days of triple digits through Saturday. Of significance is the 85 which is the mesonet site near Grandfield in extreme SW Ok. They were above 100 again today so when this map is updated at midnight, that number will be 86 days at or above triple digits. That ties the all time record set at Hollis in 1956. All indications are that Grandfield and quite likely a number of other locations will shatter the 1956 record during the coming week.

What about our corner of the state? We have had far fewer triple digit days and will not threaten any records in that regard when the summer months of Jun, Jul, and Aug come to an end. But, barring any surprises, all indications suggest we will break records for the most number of days at or above 90 for any summer. So, while the extremes may not have been….shall we say as extreme….the uniformly hot summer weather day after day has been unprecedented.

What about any relief? Fortunately, the clouds kept us below triple digits today although the heat index was above 100 so that may be a moot point. Much the same is expected on Monday with mostly cloudy skies for much of the day keeping temperatures generally in the low-mid 90s. But the high humidity levels will also result in heat index values close to triple digits so it will still be uncomfortably hot and humid.

There will also be a chance of showers and storms through the night tonight and into the morning hours of Monday and another chance for the afternoon and early night time hours of Monday. These will provide some localized cooling as well as some badly needed rainfall for about 30-40% of NE OK. If you catch one of those showers or storms, count your blessings as they are expected to be few and far between for the rest of the week.

Ridging aloft continues to be the dominant feature and the ridge axis remains just west of us. This keeps us in a light NW flow pattern which will provide occasional opportunities for a shower or two, but the chances will only be about 20% on Tue and even less than that for the rest of the week. Also, this will allow another weak boundary to move into the state along about Thursday, but right now that system appears very weak so temperatures will still be well above normal going into the coming weekend.

Speaking of the coming weekend, as mentioned previously, if you have any travel plans involving Florida or the east coast for late this week and into the weekend, all available guidance continues to suggest Irene will be affecting those areas. So, strongly suggest checking for any forecast changes before heading that direction. Barring any surprises, that would also mean Irene will have no direct impact on our weather.

So, stay tuned, stay cool, and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot