Hot, Humid Weather Creeps Into Weekend

A few storms developed last night across far NE OK into SE Kansas, SW Missouri and NW Arkansas. 

Most of these storms have now exited the region, but a few additional isolated storms may still develop this morning across southwestern Kansas through the 10 a.m. hour. The probability will remain low but not zero that a few of these may also develop and move east across north-central and part of northeastern OK through the early morning hours. I’ll keep low chances for the metro, with slightly higher chances to our west through 10 a.m. 

The mid-level ridge of high pressure that has been centered to our southwest for the past two weeks is expanding this morning northward. After the low chance this morning for a few showers or storms, this ridge will push the active zonal flow northward into northern Kansas with stronger upper forcing well north, into the central and northern high plains, where a moderate risk of severe weather will occur today. 

Across the southern plains, including northeastern OK, summer-like weather returns today with highs reaching the mid to upper 90s along with heat index values nearing 105 to 112 across part of eastern OK where heat advisories will remain from noon to 8 p.m. South winds will increase slightly from 15 to 25 mph through the day with a sunshine-cloud mix. Warm and muggy weather will be expected for Friday evening. 

These same conditions will be present for most of the weekend, yet some minor drying in the lower levels will be possible that may reduce the heat index values by a few degrees.The ridge may briefly develop a weakness across the northern periphery Tuesday through Thursday next week allowing at least two small disturbances to brush northeastern OK with a few storm chances.These will be positioned from late Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning and from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. 

Thanks for reading the Friday morning weather discussion and blog.