Records Set Today!

This has been quite a day as we started off setting a record first thing this morning and followed that up with a record again this afternoon. The map on the right shows the max/min temperatures around the state courtesy of the Ok Mesonet and this is easily the hottest day of the year for E OK. Fortunately, relief is on the way, if only briefly.

A frontal boundary is moving across the state this evening shifting the winds to a more northerly direction which will be followed by somewhat cooler conditions. Let me rephrase that, not as hot is probably a better way to state it. At least temperatures for Tuesday will be confined to the low-mid 90s after dropping into the low-mid 70s to start the day. Those numbers are still above normal, but at least it will provide some relief.

Ordinarily, a boundary such as this would also bring with it a good chance of showers and storms, but very warm and stable conditions aloft are providing a strong capping inversion which so far has prevented any rain from developing. Conditions aloft should become a little more favorable during the day Tuesday and perhaps into Tue night or Wed morning, so we do have at least a chance of scattered showers and storms during that time frame. Any storms which can develop will have the potential for producing locally heavy rainfall and marginal severe winds or small hail. But, those will be few and far between so most of us will still be looking for a good rain. And the prospects after Tuesday are not good.

In fact, all indications suggest that the brief relief on Tuesday will be just that, very brief. A return to southerly winds on Wed and a strengthening ridge aloft all point to a quick return to much above normal temperatures. In fact, we will likely be close to triple digits each day after Wednesday along with little or no mention of rain. If we should receive more rainfall than currently anticipated on Tuesday, then the rain footprint will keep temperatures more into the 90s instead of near triple digit levels. But, the price for that would be higher humidity levels and heat index values that would be at or above triple digits anyway. Any way you look at it, it is just too hot too early and no long term relief is currently in sight.

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

Dick Faurot