Chance for T-storms in Oklahoma through Saturday
Chance for T-storms in Oklahoma through Saturday

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From Staff Reports

Published: September 7, 2008

Isolated thunderstorms are expected to form in the northern two thirds of Oklahoma this afternoon and evening, and similar storms are forecast in at least parts of the state all week, according to the National Weather Service.

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Some of today's storms could be severe, especially during the warmest part of the day, forecasters said. By nightfall, more storms are expected to form north of the state line, but chances are slim those storms will move into Oklahoma. The chance for rain is 20 percent in the Oklahoma City area.

Fog settled over the Panhandle this morning, reducing visibility to less than a half mile in some areas, according to the weather service. The fog was expected to lift by the afternoon, replaced by cloudy skies and mild temperatures but no rain.

In the northern two thirds of the state today, skies will be mostly cloudy and temperatures should reach the mid 80s, according to the weather service. In the south, high temperatures will top out in the low 90s with mostly sunny skies.

The main threat of today's storms will be locally heavy rainfall, as evidenced by strong storms that traversed northern Oklahoma overnight. The heaviest rainfall was reported at Red Rock in Noble County, where an Oklahoma Mesonet station reported 4.31 inches of rain from midnight to 9:30 a.m.

During the same time frame, Mesonet stations also recorded 3.05 inches in Cherokee in Alfalfa County, 2.67 inches in Pawnee in Pawnee County, 1.45 inches in Breckinridge in Garfield County and at least a tenth of an inch at another dozen northern and northeastern Oklahoma stations. The storms had decreased in intensity and were moving out of northeastern Oklahoma this morning, according to weather service radar imagery.

Despite the heavy rainfall, the weather service has not issued any flood watches or warnings in the state. Water levels in Oklahoma rivers and lakes were normal this morning.

The statewide chance for storms continues through Saturday except for Tuesday night, when a cool, high pressure system should move in from the Plains, according to the weather service.

Oklahoma City-area forecast

Today: Mostly cloudy. High near 85. Southeast winds 8 to 10 mph. Twenty percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 68. South-southeast winds 10 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny. High near 87. South winds 9 to 13 mph.

Monday night: Mostly cloudy. Low around 61. East winds 10 mph becoming north. Twenty percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Oklahoma statewide forecast

Today: Mostly sunny in southern Oklahoma, mostly cloudy elsewhere. Highs from high 70s to mid 80s in central and northern areas, low 90s in the south. Moderate easterly winds. Chance for storms, except in southern areas and the Panhandle.

Tonight: Cloudy. Lows in 60s. Moderate southerly winds. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in northern areas.

Monday: Partly sunny in southern areas, partly cloudy to cloudy elsewhere. Highs from lower 90s in southern areas, 80s elsewhere. Variable winds. Chance for showers and thunderstorms in northern Oklahoma.