Overnight Rain…Cloudy Morning… July 30, 2008

Did the rain wake you up?  The thunder was pretty loud…it woke me up!  If you missed out on some sleep…I am right there with ya!  I know many of you were glad to hear the much needed rain fall though…we got about a quarter of an inch in the Oklahoma City area and almost a half just off to the west in Minco.  The northern areas of the state still got the most with Mesonet totals ranging from .27 to .92 in some area.  We are left with a bit of low cloud cover this morning…it may burn off by midday but its enough to keep temps down a bit, so that is good right!!??!!  We may see a few peaks of sun before more thunderstorms develop later this afternoon.

 

Sarah

More Rain…And An Update On The New Wx Page July 29, 2008

Scattered showers and storms continue across Oklahoma as of mid evening.  There’s not much of a threat of severe weather, but heavy downpours and winds to 50 mph are possible with the stronger storms.  The highest chances remain across northern Oklahoma through tomorrow.

The new weather website is still slated to debut on Monday.  I think we’re going to wait and run the explainers in our newscasts later this weekend.  If you want to see what our new look will be, go to our sister station KMBC in Kansas City and look at their weather page.  The address is kmbc.com.

The look is completely different and it may take some getting used to, but I think you’ll like it.  Let me know what you think.

Rick

Heat, Rain And A New Weather Page July 28, 2008

We have both heat and rain going on in the state right now.  As of 2:40 pm, the temperature at Will Rogers Airport is 102 degrees, making it the hottest day of the year so for for OKC.  At the same time, a few showers are cooling off parts of western Oklahoma.  

Therain is left over from what used to be hurricane Dolly.  The storm is long gone but the remnant moisture has made its way north into Oklahoma.  We have a chance for a shower or storm from time to time tonight through Wednesday morning.  I don’t expect a big soaker, but it will help trim temps back a bit into the 90s in northern and central Oklahoma.  I still expect triple digit heat across southern Oklahoma.

By Thursday the moisture will be gone and temps will again be 100 or higher as we head into the weekend.

By the way, starting next Monday, August 4, koco.com will debut a brand new weather web page.  It will still have all of the great information that you’ve come to expect from our weather site, but it will be arranged in a much easier format.  It will take just a short time for you to get the hang of it and once you do, I think you’ll really like it.

Look for more information regarding the new page on our new at 5, 6, and 10 pm.

Rick

Rain Tonight July 27, 2008

If you live in Beaver, Harper, Woods, Woodward, Ellis, Roger Mills or Beckham counties, congratulations….. you win! Your prize, a chance for rain and cooler temperatures.

The remnants of “Dolly” looks like it will bring enough moisture to squeeze out a few showers, and maybe even some heavier tropical downpours.

If you don’t live in any of those counties, your chance for rain will come later Monday and into Tuesday. The best chances will be in the west and northwest parts of the state. Even if you don’t see rain, you will see cooler weather. More clouds will help keep temps in the 90s most of next week.

 

Rusty

Dolly Rains July 27, 2008

The remains of Hurricane Dolly are located over New Mexico this morning.   Dolly is working her way around a summer-time high pressure area (the one bringing us the heat).  The high took her west, and now north, and will eventually swing her east.  This will bring increasing chances for rain to parts of the state.  Increasing cloud cover and a weakening of the summer-time high will bring the temperatures down just a little bit. 

The most likely area to get rain will be the north.  I really like the rain chances for the panhandle–and the people who live in the panhandle really like the rain chances!  This could bring a nice rain to places that are in extreme drought.

The timeline on the rain:

Sunday:  By late in the day, there will be a chance for a few showers and thunderstorms in the panhandle and northwest.

Monday:  Rain chances really increase for the panhandle and northwest, with a slight chance for rain in the southwest.

Tuesday into Wednesday:  There will be a decent chance for rain in northern Oklahoma, slight chance for rain in central Oklahoma.

After that, the summer-time high will build back in, rain chances will go down, and temperatures will increase.

Andy

This Weekend July 26, 2008

This is typically when we see the hottest temperatures of the year.  We won’t be disappointed. 

A Heat Advisory continues through the weekend.  Parts of eastern Oklahoma are actually under an Excessive Heat Warning.  Either way, the air temperature or the heat index will range between 100-105 during the afternoon hours this weekend (and could approach 110 in the east).  Overnight lows will be in the 70s, close to 80 in Tulsa.

Summer-time high pressure will be in control this weekend and early next week.  This will keep the temperatures up and the rain chances down.   There could be a storm or two in northern Oklahoma caused by a cold front in Kansas, but the rest of us will remain dry. 

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in the shade and don’t forget your pets!

Andy

Why is it so Hot…Part TWO!! July 25, 2008

Last week we talked about how the tilt of the earth and the longer hours of daylight in July and August contributeto the high temperatures that we see during those months.  The jet stream also is well north of the area during this time of year and the cold air stays north of the jet stream.  The question was then, why DOES the cold air stay north of the jet stream.  And I said…well that answer lies in the question of why does the jet stream form in the first place!

So…we know that the greatest variation in temperature occurs along the frontal zone.  The rapid change in temperature produces a rapid change in pressure.  The sudden change in pressure then sets up a steep pressure gradient.  When the pressure varies greatly over a small distance the winds increase.  That is one reason why you will hear us talk about the isobars in the winter.  Isobars are lines of constant pressure, and when they get close together on our weather maps, that indicates very windy conditions.  Because the north-south temperature contrast along the front is very strong in the winter months, the winds blow stronger and the jet stream extends southward into the subtropical regions.  In the summer the jet stream is weaker and is usually found farther north. 

If you have any questions, please let me know!

 

Sarah

Heat Advisory Extended… July 25, 2008

The Heat Advisory has been extended in areal coverage and in time.  It now includes western Oklahoma and it now continues through Sunday night.  Take precautions this weekend.  Highs will be at 100-104 across the state and with the humidity in place…the heat index will be in the unbearable 105 degree range.  Drink extra water, wear light clothing and seek out the shade for your pets and yourself!!  If you must work outdoors, the best bet is to get things done early in the day and later in the evening.  The hottest part of the day this time of year is typically between 2-6pm.  Hang in there, temps will be dropping a bit by the middle part of next week!!

Heat Advisory Through Saturday… July 24, 2008

A Heat Advisory, by definition, is issued when the Heat index value is expected to be between 105 and 110 degrees for two or more consecutive days.  We have had temps just over 100 for the past few days…but the humidity has been on the low side.  Even though we are “only” forecasting highs in the upper 90s, the humidity is higher.  This will cause the heat index values to be higher, thereby reaching the criteria for a heat advisory today and tomorrow…and also on Saturday.  On these days the risk for heat related ilness increases.  A great day to stay indoors and play your favorite board game with the kids!

 

Sarah

The Extended Forecast July 22, 2008

Looking long term, and I’m talking 7 days and beyond, I see little change.  If anything, once we hit the weekend, the heat should be worse.  Looking at some of the new extended forecast data that is coming in tonight, I’m starting to think that we could see 103-105 in Oklahoma City early next week.   I also see little to no chance for rain for central and western Oklahoma through next week. 

Basically, this is the real deal.  This is the nasty part of summer.  The winter equivalent is when we’d have the faucets dripping and would be dressed in many layers.  But, on this side of the calendar, you need to be extra careful outdoors in the afternoon and evening hours.  Wear light-colored, light-weight, loose-fitting clothing.  Make sure to wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen.  Drink plenty of water.  And don’t forget to check on pets.

My forecast highs for OKC:
Wednesday: 101
Thursday and Friday:  99 (but the heat index will be over 100)
Saturday:  101
Sunday and Monday:  102
Tuesday:  101

I’m concerned that my forecast highs from Sunday through Tuesday may not be high enough.  And on a final note, we should be at least in the upper 90s, if not the 100s through next week.

Andy