While Oklahomans have enjoyed a relatively quiet start to the week, State Climatologist Gary McManus warns that our streak of “dud” weather events is likely coming to an end. In his latest update, McManus noted that while “duds” are preferred when it comes to severe storms, the atmospheric setup for the remainder of the week is shifting toward a much more aggressive pattern.
Severe Risks Return Today
The lull in activity is expected to break today as Gulf moisture returns to the region, interacting with a dryline to provide the necessary “oomph” for storm initiation. Despite a potential capping inversion, daytime heating and convergence along the dryline are expected to trigger storms that could rapidly become severe.
According to McManus, any storms that successfully develop today carry the risk of:
Isolated significant tornadoes
Baseball-sized hail
Wind gusts exceeding 75 mph
McManus cautioned residents not to focus solely on the “enhanced” risk zones, noting that the weather does not strictly adhere to lines on a map. “If you’re anywhere in those colored areas on the maps, you should be alert to the possibility of severe weather,” he stated.
A More Significant Threat on Friday
The concern intensifies heading into Friday, which McManus describes as looking even “oomphier.” A significant severe weather event appears possible as the week draws to a close, making it vital for Oklahomans to stay abreast of forecast changes and remain weather-aware throughout the next 48 hours.
Drought Conditions Hit Multi-Year High
The potential for severe weather comes as the state faces a desperate need for moisture. New data shows that drought now covers 99.43% of Oklahoma—the highest percentage of the state impacted by drought since November 1, 2022.
“Let’s accept these next couple of days for what they really are: a chance for rain wrapped around some severe weather,” McManus said. “It comes with the territory, and we need that rainfall.”
To read more from State Climatologist Gary McManus on his mesonet ticker, click here;
