Severe weather possible today in Oklahoma
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By Brian Sargent
Published: April 17, 2008
Thunderstorms will become likely by this afternoon and some severe thunderstorms are expected. Large hail is the main concern, according to the National Weather Service.
Storms are expected to develop ahead of a strong cold front moving today across the region.
The front will affect northwest and west-central Oklahoma this morning with cooler temperatures and a change in wind direction to northwesterly, forecasters said. This trend will spread steadily eastward throughout the day.
Skies should be mostly cloudy today, with showers and thunderstorms likely statewide.
Highs should range from the mid-40s in the Panhandle to the lower 70s in southeastern Oklahoma. Lows tonight should range from the 30s in the Panhandle to the low 50s in the southeast.
A lake wind advisory is effective until 9 p.m. today for McCurtain County.
A lake wind advisory means winds will cause rough chop. Small boats will be prone to capsizing.
The wildfire potential today and Friday for Oklahoma will be high, the weather service reported.
Today, relative humidity will range from 45 to 85 percent, with winds 20 to 25 mph and gusting to 30 mph.
Partly sunny skies are expected on Friday, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms lingering in eastern Oklahoma. Highs should reach the 60s and low 70s.
A flood warning is effective until Friday afternoon for the Deep Fork River near Beggs in Okmulgee County.
At 7 a.m. today, the river's level was about 2 1/4 feet above flood stage.
A flood warning means flooding is occurring or is imminent. Rivers and creeks are overflowing and heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas is happening.
The temperature in Oklahoma City at 10 a.m. today was 65 degrees. Southerly winds were 25 mph, gusting to nearly 35 mph.
In Tulsa, the temperature was 65 degrees. Southerly winds were 15 mph, gusting to nearly 25 mph. Today's high will be near 70 with southerly and southeasterly winds 15 to 25 mph and gusting to nearly 35 mph. There's a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1 p.m.
Oklahoma forecast
• Today: Highs in the lower 60s to mid-70s. Rain and thunderstorms likely.
• Tonight: Lows about 40 to mid-50s. Occasional rain and thunderstorms in the east.
• Friday: High in the mid-50s to upper 60s. Chance of rain and thunderstorms.
Oklahoma City-area forecast
• Today: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. Southerly winds 15 to 20 mph, shifting to westerly winds in the afternoon. Slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning before increasing to 70 percent in the afternoon. Some storms may be severe.
• Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Northwesterly winds 10 to 20 mph. Sixty percent chance of thunderstorms. Some storms may be severe.
• Friday: Sunny. Highs in the mid-60s. Northwesterly winds 10 to 20 mph.
• Friday night: Clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Southeasterly winds about 10 mph.
Contributing: The Associated Press
