High temperature forecast for Sunday, Monday, National Weather Service, Norman
Hazardous weather outlook, National Weather Service, Norman
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN…WESTERN…
CENTRAL…AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA…AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING ACROSS
PORTIONS OF OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
LOCATION…
THE SLIGHT RISK AREA IS EAST OF A LINE FROM SEMINOLE TO MADILL.
TIMING…
THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE FROM ABOUT 7
PM THROUGH MIDNIGHT.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS…
STORM SPOTTER GROUPS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL ACROSS THE
RISK AREA SHOULD PLAN FOR SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS THIS EVENING.
DISCUSSION…
MOISTURE WILL RETURN TO OKLAHOMA TODAY. BY MID-EVENING… A WARM
FRONT WILL EXTEND FROM NEAR HOLDENVILLE TO CHICKASHA TO A SURFACE
LOW PRESSURE CENTER NEAR WICHITA FALLS. MODERATE INSTABILITY WILL
EXIST OVER EASTERN OKLAHOMA… AND VERTICAL WIND PROFILES WILL BE
SUPPORTIVE OF ROTATING STORMS. THIS WILL ENHANCE THE CHANCE FOR
HAIL AND STRONG WINDS IN THE SLIGHT RISK AREA. THERE WILL ALSO BE A
SLIGHT CHANCE OF TORNADOES.
PROBABILITY TABLE…
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CDT SATURDAY MAR 26.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA…60 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR…60 PERCENT.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
NONE.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY… THEN
AGAIN ON MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT… AND WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
THE RISK OF WILDFIRES WILL REMAIN ELEVATED THROUGH THE PERIOD.
Forecast map for Friday evening, National Weather Service, Norman
Extreme drought from portions of Oklahoma County southwest to north-central Texas-wouto just east of Oklahoma est
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor reports that in Oklahoma and Texas, dry and unseasonably warm weather led to widespread intensification and expansion of drought. Temperatures averaged up to 18°F above normal across the region, with highs reaching the lower 90s; consequently, crop and pasture moisture demands were higher than normal. In eastern Texas, the expanded Extreme Drought (D3) region aligned with soil moisture percentile rankings consistently in the lowest 5th percentile. In western Texas, Extreme Drought (D3) was expanded in response to 180-day rainfall values that are 10 percent of normal or less. In south Texas and the Lower Valley, where precipitation has averaged 10 to 30 percent of normal over the past 90 days, Moderate to Severe Drought (D1 and D2, respectively) were expanded. Likewise in northern Texas and western Oklahoma where severely dry conditions over the past 90 days coupled with unseasonable warmth to cause an expansion of drought. Most notably, Extreme Drought now stretches from just east of Oklahoma City southwestward into north-central Texas; many locales in the heart of the expanded D3 region have reported less than 20 percent-of-normal precipitation over the past 90 days. Severe Drought (D2) also expanded across western portions of Oklahoma, reflecting soil moisture rankings in the lowest 20th percentile.
Rainfall Nov. 22, 2010 to Monday
November 22, 2010 – March 21, 2011
Hazardous weather outlook, National Weather Service, Norman
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN…WESTERN…
CENTRAL…AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA…AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT. HOWEVER…SEVERE
STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED.
DISCUSSION…
THE FRONT WHICH MOVED THROUGH THE AREA YESTERDAY HAS STALLED OVER
CENTRAL TEXAS. THE FRONT IS EXPECTED TO LIFT BACK NORTHWARD AS A
WARM FRONT TONIGHT. INCREASING MOISTURE AND LIFT NORTH OF THE FRONT
MAY BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FEW SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER…SEVERE STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED AS
INSTABILITY REMAINS LIMITED.
PROBABILITY TABLE…
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CDT FRIDAY MAR 25.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA…20 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR…10 PERCENT.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
NONE.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AGAIN FRIDAY
NIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY. A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL BE
POSSIBLE IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA. AN ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN WILL
CONTINUE INTO THE MIDDLE PART OF NEXT WITH LOW CHANCES OF SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
THE POTENTIAL FOR WILDFIRES WILL REACH THE VERY HIGH CATEGORY ON
MOST AFTERNOONS THROUGH SATURDAY.
Wildfires information, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
WILDFIRES IMPACTING STATE
Due to the wildfires impacting Oklahoma, the State Emergency Operations Center is at Level Three activation, which involves extended operating hours for key personnel. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas. Additionally, OEM is working with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma National Guard and State Forestry Division.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
While temperatures were cooler today and winds much weaker than Tuesday, low relative humidity values and dry vegetation again combined to create favorable fire spread conditions.
Temperatures in the 60s will prevail across Oklahoma on Thursday as light northeast winds shift to a southerly direction late in the day. A storm system will quickly approach and move north of Oklahoma late Thursday into Friday with minimal rain chances. Temperatures will warm into the 70s on Friday, but winds are expected to remain in the 10 to 15 mph range on Friday. A slight chance of thunderstorms is in the forecast for Friday evening.
FIRES
Evacuations are underway in Osage County, near the town of Prue where 40 homes are threatened by a fire. In Bartlesville evacuations are also underway as a fire threatens the Oak Park area. Fires were also reported in Cleveland, Ellis, Pawnee, Pottawatomie and Tulsa counties.
MASS CARE
A shelter is open in Prue at the Assembly of God Church, 239 East Paudom, for those displaced by the fire.
RESOURCE REQUESTS
OEM continues to work in conjunction with State Forestry officials to deploy Oklahoma National Guard Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters equipped with buckets to provide aerial fire support. Water drops have been provided on fires in Slaughterville, in Cleveland County; Bell, in Adair County; and Prue, in Osage County.
BURN BANS
State Forestry officials report numerous county burn bans remain in effect. For more information on burn bans go to www.forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-information
In counties without a burn ban in place, the public should check the current and forecast fire weather conditions prior to conducting any outdoor burning. Exercise due caution when conducting burns to prevent igniting a wildfire. Report any suspicious wild land fire activity on the Arson Tip Line: 1-866-662-7766 (1-866-NO ARSON)
STAY SAFE
Wildfires are often caused by human activity. High winds and dry conditions can set the stage for potentially severe fires. The greatest single cause is when burning debris is not properly contained and sparks or burning trash blow into the air. Oklahomans can help prevent fires if they:
- Be careful when pulling off a road or driving into a field. Hot catalytic converters can ignite vegetation.
- Avoid burning trash. Even a barrel covered with a screen can allow a spark to escape, igniting nearby vegetation.
- Do not use fireworks during holidays.
- If you smoke in your car, extinguish cigarettes in vehicle ashtrays. Never toss a cigarette out of a car window, and don’t put cigarettes out on the ground.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and water handy when working outdoors with equipment that gets hot, or involves sparks, such as welding equipment. Water down outdoor work areas in advance if possible.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Choose a route away from the fire hazard and be alert to changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.
When weather conditions make wildfires more likely in your area, prepare by taking the following precautions:
- Keep firefighting tools handy, such as: ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and buckets.
- Place connected garden hoses on all sides of the house for emergency use.
- Know all emergency exits from your house.
- Learn all routes leading out of your neighborhood.
As fires actually approach, take the following actions:
- Park your car facing the direction of escape.
- Shut off gas at the meter. Only a qualified professional can safely turn the gas back on.
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Place combustible patio furniture inside.
Sunday night, Monday, forecast, National Weather Service, Norman
Hazardous weather outlook, National Weather Service, Norman
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN…WESTERN…
CENTRAL…AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA…AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
NO THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED.
DISCUSSION…
A DRY STABLE AIRMASS WILL PRECLUDE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
TONIGHT.
PROBABILITY TABLE…
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CDT THURSDAY MAR 24.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA…0 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR…0 PERCENT.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
NONE.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THURSDAY NIGHT
AND FRIDAY…BUT SEVERE STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED. MORE WIDESPREAD
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
THE POTENTIAL FOR WILDFIRES WILL REACH THE VERY HIGH CATEGORY ON
MOST AFTERNOONS THROUGH SATURDAY.
Short-term forecast, National Weather Service, Norman
REGIONAL WEATHER DISCUSSION…
LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON… A DRYLINE IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AND
WESTERN NORTH TEXAS EXTENDED FROM JUST WEST OF PONCA CITY… TO
TUTTLE… TO WALTERS… TO WICHITA FALLS. BEHIND THE DRYLINE…
SOUTHWEST WINDS WERE GUSTING TO NEAR 40 MPH WHILE RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES HAD FALLEN TO BETWEEN 10 AND 20 PERCENT. A FEW
THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING NEAR AND EAST
OF THE DRYLINE… WITH THE BEST CHANCES BEING ACROSS PORTIONS OF
EAST CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.
BY LATE THIS EVENING… THE DRYLINE WILL EXTENDED ACROSS SOUTH
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA WHILE AND COLD FRONT PUSHES INTO NORTHERN OKLAHOMA.
THE STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE DRYLINE SHOULD ALSO DIMINISH
BY THEN.
