Rain chances decrease today in Oklahoma
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By Brian Sargent
Published: April 4, 2008
Clouds gradually will dissipate this morning and northerly winds will decrease across Oklahoma, leading to a sunny and pleasant afternoon, forecasters say.
Still, there's a chance of rain and thunderstorms this morning in the southeastern part of the state, according to the National Weather Service.
A flash flood warning is effective until noon today for McCurtain County.
At 10 a.m., 3.63 inches of rain was reported since midnight in Broken Bow in McCurtain County, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet.
Rain totals since midnight in McCurtain County include:
• 2.42 inches, Idabel.
• 2.12 inches, Mount Herman.
A flash flood warning means flash flooding is occurring or is imminent. A flash flood is usually the result of heavy or excessive amounts of rainfall within a short period of time, usually less than 6 hours, causing water to rise and fall quite rapidly.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to 60s.
Overnight lows will range from the mid-30s in the Panhandle to near 40 in eastern Oklahoma as skies clear.
Saturday will be mainly clear with highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s.
A weak surface front will move across the area on Sunday, but most areas will remain dry and mild, according to the National Weather Service, forecasters said.
A chance for showers and thunderstorms will return Monday for most of the state, with partly cloudy skies and highs in the 70s.
The wildfire potential today for Oklahoma will be moderate before increasing to very high and extreme on Saturday.
On Saturday, relative humidity will range from 20 to 45 percent, with winds 15 to 30 mph and gusting to 35 mph.
A fire weather watch will be effective from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night for Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, Tillman, Washita and Woodward counties.
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible.
The temperature in Oklahoma City at 10 a.m. today was 47 degrees. Northerly winds were15 to 20 mph.
In Tulsa, the temperature was 47 degrees. Northerly winds were about 15 mph, gusting to 20 mph. Today's high will be near 60 with northeasterly winds 10 to 15 mph.
Flood warning issued
• Until Sunday afternoon: Poteau River near Poteau in Le Flore County.
At 9 a.m. today, the river's stage was about 1 foott below flood stage. However, the river is expected to crest nearly 1 foot above flood stage this morning.
• Until late Monday: Poteau River near Panama in Le Flore County.
At 8 a.m. today, the river's stage was more than 1 foot above flood stage. The river is expected to crest nearly 3 feet above flood stage Sunday morning.
Oklahoma forecast
• Today: Highs in the upper 50s and 60s. Chance of rain and thunderstorms in the morning in the southeast.
• Tonight: Lows in the 30s to lower 40s.
• Saturday: Highs mostly in the 70s.
Oklahoma City-area forecast
• Rest of today: Decreasing clouds. Highs in the lower 60s. Northerly winds 10 to 15 mph.
• Tonight: Clear. Lows about 40. Easterly winds about 10 mph before shifting to southerly winds after midnight.
• Saturday: Sunny. Highs about 70. Southerly winds 10 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Southerly winds 15 to 20 mph.
Regional road condition hot lines
• Arkansas: (800) 245-1672
• Colorado: (303) 639-1111
• Missouri: (800) 222-6400
• New Mexico: (800) 432-4269
• Oklahoma: (888) 425-2385
• Texas: (800) 452-9292
Contributing: The Associated Press
