Clear Skies, Light Wind Allow Early Morning Temperatures To Plummet

Not a lot of change in the discussion today compared to yesterday’s post. We’re slowly making progress with this airmass and snowpack. But most of us will not notice any big changes for a few more days, even though notable differences will be underway this weekend regarding the temperature trend. By early next week, we’ll be into the 50s Monday and lower 60s Tuesday before our next front enters the state Wednesday. But before we get way off into the 7-day planner, let's enjoy more sunshine coming up later today. 

Clear sky and light wind have allowed temperatures to plummet this morning with many locations in the single digits, even subzero in some of the valleys. Fog can develop over a snowpack and we’re watching for some of this through the morning hours. Afternoon highs will reach the lower 30s today across northern OK and should briefly move above freezing for southeastern OK for a few hours today along with sunshine and south winds around 10 to 22 mph. Saturday morning drops back into the teens and 20s with another window for some brief fog before all locations will reach the upper 30s and lower 40s Saturday across the eastern part of the state. We may have some clouds for the first half of the day Saturday, but some sunshine mix is still likely in spots and this will also continue with the slow snow melting process. Sunday the next upper-level system will be nearing the state, and this could provide us a small window for a shower or two, but the chances will remain quite low. 

A weak surface front arrives Sunday as a strong upper-level wave drops across the country. This will bring a wind shift Sunday from the northwest along with a very low chance for a shower or two. The moisture is expected to remain on the low side, but I’ll keep a 20% chance across the area. Something we’ll need to watch is early Sunday morning. A few signals in the NAM suites point toward some drizzle during this time but most locations should be a few degrees above freezing. Spots along the OK and Kansas state line region may need to remain aware of a very small window for freezing drizzle during the morning hours.

Monday the airflow moving from down the Rockies into the northwestern OK region will bring slightly warmer air to the state as it compresses on its way down the plains. This ‘warming’ regime, is of course relative to the past two weeks, but should bring us into the lower to mid-50s Monday and the lower to mid-60s Tuesday. But the party will be short-lived as another front will be nearing the state Wednesday with a noticeable cool-down and the potential for a shower along the boundary. Wednesday morning starts around 50 but will drop into the lower 40s by afternoon with gusty north winds. Thursday we’re back near freezing for the start and into the upper 40s Thursday afternoon for highs. The data is not consistent regarding late next week with the potential for another system bringing some showers into the state Friday. But we’ll hold off on any advertisements for this period today. Yes, we are getting ready to move into late February and early March with some attempts at another roller coaster ride, but we still have plenty of time for more cold air. Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading the Friday morning weather discussion and blog.

Have a super great day!

Alan Crone

KOTV

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