Flooding still a concern in some areas of Oklahoma

From Staff Reports

Published: August 20, 2008

Rain is expected to continue today in Oklahoma before it slowly moves out the state late today.

Periods of heavy rain this morning may soak portions of south-central and southeast Oklahoma, flooding some areas south of Interstate 40 and east of I-35.

Lesser amounts of rain are expected over central and southwest Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service. Still, isolated heavy rain could cause flooding in areas that have received large amounts of rain during the past few days.

Rain is expected to diminish from the west today and tonight, as an upper-level low pressure system slowly moves east and weakens. Temperatures today will continue to run well below average for late August but begin approaching more typical levels in some areas of the state on Thursday.

A flash flood watch is effective until noon today for Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston, Love and Marshall counties.

A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding. 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.

A flood watch is effective through late today for McCurtain County.

A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding. Rivers and creeks may overflow and heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas may happen.

Skies today should be mostly cloudy, with rain and thunderstorms likely in all but the Oklahoma Panhandle. Highs should reach the 70s and 80s and lows should dip into the 60s statewide tonight.

On Thursday, highs will be from the upper 70s in the northeast to the lower 90s in southwestern Oklahoma and the Panhandle.

Partly cloudy skies are expected on Friday, as is a slight chance of storms in eastern Oklahoma. Temperatures should reach the 80s and 90s before dipping into the 60s Friday night.

• Today: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. Light and variable winds shifting to northeasterly winds about 10 mph in the afternoon. Fifty percent chance of thunderstorms.

• Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Easterly winds about 10 mph before shifting to light and variable. Thirty percent chance of thunderstorms.

• Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 80s. Light and variable winds shifting to southeasterly winds 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

• Thursday night: Mostly clear. Lows about 70. Southeasterly winds 10 to 15 mph.

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