Friday Afternoon Forecast Discussion Update

Hot weather is going to be the story for us over the next couple of days as highs will be topping out in the 70s. A monster ridge parked over the eastern Gulf is putting us under a very mild weather regime. It’s not out of the question that we will be breaking records on Sunday. In the meantime, look for lots of clouds and the chance for a stray shower through tonight and tomorrow. Most of us will stay warm and dry, with a southerly breeze. Lows at night will only drop into the mild 50s.

Don’t let the warm weather talk fool you however, because the very cold air isn’t too far away. In fact, ice storm warnings are now up for a good portion of Oklahoma. Folks out west are anticipating numerous power outages and dangerous travel conditions. A shallow-arctic air mass is now slipping southward into the heart of the country. As low pressure rides along the front, which is separating the warm and cold air, this will force the cold front further southward. The models have had a tough time handling the timing of this front and it appears now that the front will move through our area early Monday. That means the highest threat for rain has now shifted into Monday.

A band of rain will move through, with a cold north wind developing on Monday. Also, we could deal with a passing thunderstorm on Monday. Temperatures will fall through Monday night and look for highs to struggle to break into the middle 40s on Tuesday. Lows Tuesday night will be dropping into the 20s. The coldest morning looks to be the start of our Wednesday, with readings in the mid 20s.

(Image SRC: Current IR Satellite Image)

Updated by: Chief Meteorologist Wes Wyatt